NASA has awarded $125,000 to NASA researchers for the construction of a food-synthesizer that could be used to 3D print pizza and other foods. They hope that the technology will be able to allow astronauts on longer space missions, such those to Mars or other locations farther away from Earth, to eat.
BeeHex, a Texas company, has already made a prototype using this technology. This machine costs approximately $10,000 to construct and can make pizza dough and toppings in just minutes. The company claims it works faster than humans and uses less energy that traditional ovens.
Quartz reports that the first printer was a six-month-old project funded by NASA's Small Business Innovation Research grant (SBIR). It was intended to be used for long-term space missions, such as a mission on Mars. But Congressional budget cuts forced the agency to cancel some of its auxiliary projects, including work on the 3D printer.
The team eventually decided to make this technology more accessible to people on Earth. This decision led to BeeHex being founded in 2015. Their goal is to offer personalized, on-demand pizzas at sporting events and amusement parks using their food printers.
BeeHex is developing a system to produce custom sandwiches, salads, and even breakfast bars, which can be customized for each customer. The system would then dispense the food, and allow it to heat in a commercial stove.
This technology could help astronauts avoid the monotony of eating frozen, prepackaged "space food" every day. It would also allow them to eat healthier foods. This technology could reduce waste and decrease the environmental impact of space travel.
BeeHex states that it is currently working on ways to reuse its technology so it can be used in restaurants for baking. The company is planning to build a larger machine that can print several kinds of dough, sauce and cheese all at once.
The technology could make pizza more delicious and easier for people who love it. Investors have shown interest in the potential of the company to be a global leader in food printing.
Quartz received a statement from an investor saying that pizza was a great product for the technology to begin with because it is so easy to make, store, and transport. This makes it ideal for vending machines. It could be used by restaurants or retailers to have pizza at their premises. It is also a good choice for amusement parks or festivals as these venues have limited space and must be able to quickly serve food.
While this technology is not yet a viable option for most people on Earth, it is promising. 3D printed food can provide a healthier alternative than traditional meals if the ingredients are right. It's also eco-friendly and can be easily adjusted to meet the needs of vegetarians and vegans.