工程師利用廢棄物 3D 列印太空旅行食物
Engineers create 3D-printed food from waste for space travel
Updated at: September 14, 2026 at 02:30 AM
南伊利諾州大學卡本代爾分校的工程師們正透過一項名為µBites的計畫，致力於克服長途太空旅行的挑戰。
Engineers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are tackling the challenge of long-duration space travel with a project called µBites.
這項創新技術能將塑膠廢棄物與農業生物質轉換為營養豐富的3D列印餅乾。
This innovative technology converts plastic waste and agricultural biomass into nutrient-dense, 3D-printed cookies.
研究人員運用稱為「氧化水熱溶解法」的程序，將汽水瓶和玉米稈等材料分解為碳分子；接著，經過基因編輯的酵母會將這些分子轉化為蛋白質、脂肪與維生素。
By using a process called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution, researchers break down materials like soda bottles and corn stalks into carbon molecules.
該計畫由美國航太總署（NASA）的「深空食物挑戰賽」資助，旨在為無法進行物資補給的火星或月球任務提供永續的營養來源。
Finally, this biomass is mixed into a slurry and 3D-printed into edible shapes.
除了太空應用之外，這項技術也為地球上的救災需求及全球糧食不安全等問題提供了潛在的解決方案。
Funded by NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge, the project aims to provide sustainable nutrition for missions to Mars or the Moon, where resupply is impossible.
儘管團隊已成功製作出香氣誘人的餅乾，目前仍須等待批准才能開始進行人體試吃測試。
Beyond space, this technology offers promising solutions for terrestrial issues, such as disaster relief and global food insecurity.
這項突破代表了將廢棄物循環再利用為重要資源的巧妙途徑，也證明了未來的食物可能正是由我們今日丟棄的廢料所列印而成。
While the team has successfully created cookies with a pleasant aroma, they are currently waiting for approval to begin human taste tests.
