Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have invented a “personal food printer .” Christened the Digital Fabricator , the new device stores and refrigerates ingredients, combines them, cooks them and “prints” them to the consumer’s taste. And as you pour each content into separate print “heads” you can cool or heat them. And all with pinpoint precision.
The researchers say that the new process of “cooking by printing” takes the food industry into the digital age, and that it will allow the development of new textures and flavors that were previously impossible to obtain with traditional techniques. In addition, users of the device will be able to control the exact nutritional value and quality of each meal they prepare thanks to a touch screen where they can choose parameters such as carbohydrate and fat content. And, of course, count the calories. As if that were not enough, with this device the food is manufactured layer by layer , which also offers interesting aesthetic possibilities.
The Digital Fabricator has an Internet connection to provide the consumer with all the information on the origin, qualities, nutritional value and flavor of each ingredient it uses. In addition, the device is programmed to suggest an alternative ingredient to the “chef” when some raw material is used.
