SCIENTISTS have created incredible 3D "hologram"-style projections that they say were inspired by Star Wars.

The physics experts used tiny dust particles to create lifelike images that have depth, and can be viewed from any angle.

3 Scientists attempted to recreate the iconic Princess Leia projection scene Credit: 20th Century Fox

Typical holograms are actually just two-dimensional structures, which means the effect disappears when you move behind the image.

But researchers at Brigham Young University wanted to create a 3D projection that would be visible from anywhere, according to Nature.

The concept was inspired by the iconic Star Wars scene where R2:D2 projects Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia character in holographic form.

Professor Daniel Smalley, a scientist at BYU, said: "We always had in the back of our mind the idea to create the Star Wars Princess Leia moment."

3 Researchers used dust particles to create a 3D image that can be viewed from any angle Credit: Nature

"We wanted to do what you see in science fiction movies."

"I was thinking how we could do it differently. My first thought was a swarm of glowing nanobots with lasers. Something practical like that."

Smalley's solution involved suspending a tiny dust particle in a laser trap. This particle can then be flung through the air by lasers, while other lasers project colour onto it.

Then, Smalley expanded the system out to work with lots of dust particles, effectively creating "a swarm of particles in a tractor beam".

3 The 3D projection system can create objects of any shape or colour Credit: Nature

The physicist believes that although the system is a great homage to Star Wars, it could also be used for more practical purposes, like medicine or business.

"For someone doing heart surgery, it would be great to see a 3D structure. How big is the artery, where does it branch?"

"People spend lots of money on business trips merely to be in the same room as someone, shake their hand, look in their eye and build trust."

"The good thing about this display is it physically occupies the room with you. It is not an illusion; it is really there."

"If what's really important is eye to eye contact and a sense of presence in the room, this could be a cheap way of doing it."

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Sadly, Smalley's 3D projections are only the size of thumbnails, but the plan is to scale the system up over time.

"If we make as much progress in the next four years as we made in the last, I think we will be successful making a display of useful size."

"Leia is on the way for real this time," he added.