Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 481,101 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,297 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 103,703 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,297 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 103,703 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,233 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 481,101 cutting edge ideas.

3D-Printable Foods

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

The 3D Food Printer by Anjan Contractor Will Help to Make Food in Space

— May 28, 2013 — Tech
Engineer Anjan Contractor is constructing one of the first 3D food printers for NASA to use to make healthier food in space. How the 3D food printer works is instead of conventional ink cartridges, the food printer uses powdered food cartridges that layer the powder to create different flavors and types of food. The commands are sent through a computer that then uses a gun-like mechanical arm to release the powders according to the food’s shape and ingredients onto a metal plate.

If the food needs to be cooked, the metal plate warms up so as soon as the powder comes into contact with the metal, it begins to cook. Currently, Anja Contractor is working to create the first ever 3D printed pizza. While it’s hard to bring fresh food into space, the 3D food printer technology will help to improve NASA’s astronauts’ diet and ensure that they are getting the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients while in space.

Photo Credits: designboom, nasa.gov
Trend Themes
1. 3d-printable Foods - The development of 3D food printing technology presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in food manufacturing and customization.
2. Healthier Food in Space - The use of 3D food printers in space exploration opens up new possibilities for providing astronauts with nutritious and personalized meals.
3. Improved Nutritional Control - The integration of 3D food printers allows for precise control of ingredients, making it easier to meet nutritional requirements and dietary restrictions.
Industry Implications
1. Food Manufacturing - The implementation of 3D food printing technology can revolutionize the way food is produced, packaged, and distributed.
2. Space Exploration - The deployment of 3D food printers in space missions creates new opportunities for sustainable and self-sufficient food production.
3. Customized Nutrition - The adoption of 3D food printing technology enables the customization of meals based on individual dietary needs and preferences.
4.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness