Do you know what 3D printing is? Yes? Great!
If not - It's a technique applied to actual printers. Instead of ink, these printers have been fitted with cartridges filled with some polymerized powder, that is thermally or chemically fused in the printing process into a solid form, to allow 3D shapes to be designed.
Check this out: 3D Printed City of Heroes memorabilia.
Oh yes they did.
http://www.shapeways.com/marketplace/?tag=city+of+heroesJust picture this: Get a group of friends together, pool together some money, get some exploration badges and a few cans of gold or silver spraypaint, and you can have fun COH style in exploring places. Geocaching maybe?