Experts at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have created a technique to carry out direct ink writing (DIW) additive of milk-associated products at room temperature. This is all while keeping its temperature delicate nutrients.
Additive manufacturing of food has been attained by various techniques. This includes the largely utilized selective laser sintering and hot-melt extrusion techniques. But these techniques are not at all times compatible with temperature-delicate nutrients found in certain kinds of food.
For example, milk is rich in both protein and calcium. However, since these nutrients are temperature sensitive, milk is not suitable additive manufacturing by use of the earlier stated technique that needs high temperature. Although the cold-extrusion is a practical alternative, it usually needs additives or rheology modifiers to balance printed structures. The optimization of these additives is a complicated and judicious chore.
To handle these limitations, the study crew from SUTD’s Soft Fluidics Lab modified the rheological attributes of the printing ink and showed DIW 3D printing of milk through cold-extrusion with a one milk product, powdered milk.
The crew discovered that the mixture of milk powder permitted for the easy solution of 3D-printable milk inks by use of water to regulate the rheology. Considerable characterizations of the mixed milk ink were as well carried out to examine their rheological attributes and allow for maximum printability.
“This novel yet simple method can be used in formulating various nutritious foods including those served to patients in hospitals for their special dietary needs,” stated the leading author and Ph.D. contestant from SUTD, Mr Lee Cheng Pau.
“Cold-extrusion does not compromise heat-sensitive nutrients and yet offers vast potential in 3D printing of aesthetically pleasing, nutritionally controlled foods customized for individual requirements,” added Assistant Professor Michinao Hashimoto, the principal investigator of the study.
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Dubai gets closer to AM metro spare pieces
Dubai is closer to utilizing additive manufacturing to make spare pieces for metro. On Friday, the Roads and Transport Authority stated it had attained”significant progress” by use of the technology notwithstanding drawbacks triggered by the Covid-19 outbreak.
The maintenance contractor of Dubai Metro, RTA and Serco are operating with an expert firm to improve the additive manufacturing project.
“The use of 3D printing in several projects and applications helps develop new techniques and creative means capable of contributing effectively to making Dubai the smartest city in the world,” stated the director of maintenance at the authority, Mohammed Al Amiri.
