A group of researchers has found a new way to insert information into 3D printed foods: with a QR Code placed inside the food itself! Goodbye additional labels, and no difference in flavor or external appearance.
Interiqr, the QR Code printed inside the food
The technology is known as “interiqr” (a contraction of “interior QR”) and was developed by a team at Osaka University in Japan. Find it here the project page. Their first proof of concept to demonstrate this technology was a beautiful 3D printed cookie pan. Out, smooth and normal looking. Inside, a pattern of air pockets that created a real QR code.
What is it for? In normal light, such foods have an ordinary appearance. If illuminated, however, it is possible to frame them with a smartphone to collect information and data recalled by the code printed inside them.
A foolproof way to perfectly trace a food, and to avoid food counterfeits. And an evolution of similar technologies recently experienced for alcoholic beverages.
We are only at the beginning
It goes without saying that, in its current form, the technology would be limited to use in relatively thin and somewhat translucent 3D printed foods. However, scientists believe that this internal QR code technology could provide an alternative to more time-consuming and expensive approaches such as paper labels placed on fruit, or RFID tags on packaging.
Not to mention the fact that such a system would also make it possible to reduce packaging, because it would no longer be necessary to enter all the data on the outer packaging.
I do first to show you a video.
“We are confident that our 3D printing method can improve food traceability and safety,” says the study's senior author, Kosuke sato. “It can also be used to provide new food experiences through augmented reality, an exciting new field in the food industry.”
What do you think?
