Science & Technology

NASA developing 3D printer 'food replicator'

By T.K. Randall
May 24, 2013 ·  6 comments

Image Credit: NASA In a concept not dissimilar to the food replicators in Star Trek, scientists at the US space agency are attempting to build a printer device that can produce edible food for use on long space voyages. Such a system would compliment or even replace the standard food rations astronauts currently use on the International Space Station.

To create the food, the system will use an inkjet printer to handle the flavor and smell and a 3D printer to handle the main bulk of the food's mass. While it is unlikely to solve world hunger, what it will do is help open the door to longer missions and make it possible to take just the raw materials along instead of needing a large stockpile of prepackaged meals.

Source: The Register | Comments (6)

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