NASA to build 'universal food synthesizer' 3D printer to boldly make pizza from insects and algae!

Daily Mail ^ | | UPDATED: 02:24 EST, 22 May 2013 | David Mccormack

[Red Steel]

When Star Trek becomes reality: NASA to build 'universal food synthesizer' 3D printer to boldly make pizza from insects and algae!

NASA is investing in a 3D printer which can create food The company behind it believe it could solve the earth's looming food shortage Meals would be made from cartridges containing carbohydrates and protein powders Insects, grass and algae could replace meat and vegetables as the main sources of our protein

The kitchen of the future could see all our fancy devices – even refrigerators and ovens - replaced by a 3D printer which will create meals from cartridges full of carbohydrates, protein powders and oils.

The concept might sound rather far-fetched today, but NASA has just given 3D printer firm Systems & Materials Research Corporation (SMRC) a six month, $125,000 grant to focus on developing a universal food synthesizer.

The device is similar to the ‘replicator’ used in several of the Star Trek TV series which enabled crew members to create their favorite foods.

NASA is investing in the project because it wants to make it easier to transport nutrients in bulk through space, but SMRC’s founder Anjan Contractor believes the device will ultimately help solve the earth’s looming food crisis.

With the earth’s population one day predicted to reach 12 billion people, the strain on our food sources will become immense.

[Red Steel]

[null and void]

3-D Printer Ping!

Political power grows out of the nozzle of a 3-D Printer.

[mylife]

[Beowulf9]

Soylent green is people!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sp-VFBbjpE

[Slyfox]

Will NASA also create a barf bag for that pizza?

[GeronL]

here comes the beginnings of the replicator

[Jet Jaguar]

LOL!

[Vince Ferrer]

This is 3D printed sugar

[mylife]

Years ago I read a thread at DU about growing meat in labs, for human consumption.
I was shocked to see that all Vegans agreed they craved meat, and would happily eat the Frankenflesh.
What disturbed them was a chicken getting its neck wrung.

Weird.

[GeronL]

Very weird

[GeronL]

will make interestingly shaped cookies I guess

think it will print cookie dough?

[mylife]

Oddly, the Simpsons is ahead of the curve on all issues that ail mankind. LOL

[mylife]

It creeped me out!

[dfwgator]

[familyop]

"With the earth’s population one day predicted to reach 12 billion people, the strain on our food sources will become immense."

Funny. Some geniuses in a Japanese lab made synthetic meat from human feces not long ago. I reckon that they already won the attention prostitution contest.

As for us becoming extinct for lack of food, that already happened decades ago, according to obsessing eggheads of the past. Big agriculture is very inefficient, requiring too many acres, and big agriculture is also known for trying to outlaw small competition.

Potatoes grow pretty good up in our lofty and cold heights, Red Steel. I'll be finding out through some of our own little experiments what else will grow in this Mars-like climate (near 9,200 feet, just on the right side of the Divide).

[beethovenfan]

Let James Hansen eat it first.

[Mike Darancette]

Don’t ask don’t tell food.

[Still Thinking]

Shades of soylent green.