Engineers from Columbia University have utilized 3D-printing technology to produce a vegan cheesecake that is cooked by lasers. Using seven store-bought ingredients, including peanut butter, Nutella, and strawberry jam, the team had to work through several scenarios before they landed on a two-prong approach: layering and laser cooking. The layering step ensured that the softest ingredient was enclosed by the graham cracker paste exterior, while the high-heat lasers zapped the cheesecake, setting up the exterior and holding it all together. Study co-author Dr. Jonathan Blutinger compared the laser cooking process to the way we cook food using microwaves or broilers. However, the equipment used for this printing method is still expensive, with the printer itself costing $1000 and each high-tech laser costing over $500. Blutinger hopes to add more data to future projects, including recipes and creative freedom for users to experiment and create their own recipes.
Columbia University’s Engineers Use Lasers to Cook 3D-Printed Cheesecake
Engineers from Columbia University have successfully created a vegan cheesecake using seven store-bought ingredients, including peanut butter, Nutella, and strawberry jam. Their initial attempts failed, as the cheesecake would always collapse before it had time to set up. They eventually solved this issue by implementing a two-prong approach, which included layering and laser cooking.
Through layering, the engineers ensured that the softest ingredient was enclosed by the graham cracker paste exterior. The use of high-heat lasers then allowed them to zap the cheesecake, setting up the exterior and holding it all together. Study co-author Dr. Jonathan Blutinger likens this process to the way we cook food using microwaves or broilers.
According to an article by CNN, the equipment used for this printing method is still quite expensive, with the printer itself costing $1000 and each high-tech laser costing over $500. However, Blutinger hopes to add more data to future projects, including recipes and creative freedom for users to experiment and create their own recipes.
While the 3D-printed cheesecake is an innovative step forward, it is still in its earliest stages. Nevertheless, this breakthrough showcases the potential of this technology in the food industry.
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