Shimadzu Develops "TIP" 3D Printing Technology, Plans To Build Meat Production Line

Lub Plaub Hlis 6, 2022, Japanese precision ntsuas qhov chaw tsim khoom Shimadzu (Shimadzu) yog tam sim no tab tom tsim ib qho automated nqaij 3D tshuab luam ntawv.

Shimadzu tau hais tias yuav ua haujlwm nrog Osaka University Sigmaxyz los tsim lub tshuab muaj peev xwm ntawm huab hwm coj- tsim cov nqaij dag ntawm cov kab ntau lawm. Los ntawm txoj haujlwm no, lub tuam txhab tsom mus nrhiav txoj hauv kev los tsim cov nqaij hloov los ntawm 2025, ua rau cov khoom noj muaj protein ntau uas tsis yog saj zoo li nqaij tiag, tab sis saj zoo dua.

Meat samples were made using Osaka University's 3D printing technology. Image from Thailand news site

Shimadzu's meat 3D printing ambitions

Founded hauv Tokyo nyob rau hauv 1875, lub tuam txhab muaj ntau yam kev lag luam tus kheej thiab npog ntau txoj kab ntawm kev lag luam, xws li kev soj ntsuam, kev sim thiab cov tuam txhab lag luam, ntsuas ntsuas cov tuam txhab, cov cuab yeej siv dav hlau, thiab lwm yam. Nws yog kev lag luam nrog keeb kwm ntev, tab sis tsis ntev los no. xyoo lub tuam txhab tau tig nws cov xim rau 3D tshuab luam ntawv. Lub tuam txhab tam sim no tau tshaj tawm tias tab tom nrhiav lub tswv yim ntawm kev loj hlob cov nqaij dag los ntawm cov tsiaj hlwb los ua lwm txoj hauv kev tua thiab noj tsiaj txhu.

While Shimadzu hasn't disclosed details of the meat-making process, it's safe to say that their technology comes primarily from Osaka University. Using the technology, it is said that cells can be printed in layers into tissues such as muscle, fat and blood vessels, which are then brought together to form fibers that resemble real meat.

What's more, the researchers reportedly successfully 3D printed Wagyu beef with marbling in a unique way, meaning the 3D printed meat needed to contain white specks of intramuscular fat to give it extra tenderness and flavor.

Los ntawm kev sib koom ua ke cov txheej txheem no rau hauv cov cuab yeej siv tshuab, cov hlwb tuaj yeem loj hlob mus rau hauv cov qauv xws li steaks. Lub tuam txhab tseem tab tom saib txog kev siv thev naus laus zis rau cov tshuaj kho dua tshiab thiab kev tshawb nrhiav tshuaj, tab sis tam sim no, nws lub hom phiaj muab cov qauv nqaij ntawm Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 ntawm theem no.

The beef manufacturing process and samples produced by the "TIP" 3D printing method developed by Osaka University. Pictures from Toppan

Wagyu nqaij nyuj xyaum sim ntawm Osaka University

To achieve this, Osaka's team has come up with a method they call "tendon-gel integrated bioprinting" (TIP), in which tendon-like gels are created layer by layer Build into a steak-shaped structure. Interestingly, the scientists' technique also allows for the integration of different tissue types into the same food, which better replicates the real meat equivalent.

Thaum cov thev naus laus zis tau nthuav tawm ntxiv, lawv yuav siv cov kev sim ntxiv. Cov pab pawg tau muab 72 bovine cell fibers rau cov leeg nqaij, rog, capillaries thiab ntau dua, thaum txhais cov kev ntxhib los mos ntawm cov nqaij tsim, thiab tuaj yeem siv los kho cov ntsiab lus rog ib yam.

Scientists in Osaka say their technique has the potential to help undo some of the environmental damage caused by animal husbandry. However, given Shimadzu's development, it remains to be seen whether TIP 3D printing can now be industrialized and brought to market (albeit unproven). But research on artificial meat has come a long way in just the past 12 months, and it's continuing to iteratively improve.

Kev nce qib tsis tu ncua ntawm 3D luam ntawv nqaij

While it's unlikely that 3D-printed meat will hit the market so soon, the technology behind it is constantly improving. Late last year, MeaTech announced that it had broken new ground, successfully 3D printing a whole 3.67-ounce steak at its lab in Nesziona, Israel.

Similarly, researchers at Zhejiang University in China are working in different directions, developing a method for 3D printing meat from plant gels. The team's soy protein, pea protein and wheat gluten foods are said to provide nutrient levels similar to actual meat.