We already know that 3D printers can print out edible confections. But you can’t live on candy forever, right? For those who need more balanced nutrition from their 3D printing machines, the Fluid Interfaces Group at MIT is working on Cornucopia, a design for a printer that makes full meals.
The interesting part of Cornucopia is that it covers every step in the cooking process. It refrigerates and stores ingredients, measures them out, mixes them, prints them out in layers, and cooks them. If every element works as it should, the world will never view all-in-one printers the same way again.
Of course, we’re talking about a project, not an actual product. Until there’s a working prototype, questions will abound. Is it easy to clean? Will richer ingredients clog the printheads? Most importantly, how much will the printer and the ingredient canisters cost? It’s obviously too early to answer the inquiries, but I’ll be curious about how it develops as the project progresses. Until then, it looks like a 3D printer’s place may be in the home or the auto shop, and not in the kitchen.
(Photo via MIT Fluid Interfaces Group)
