Food From Electricity

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**reds8n**

https://futurism.com/a-team-of-scientists-just-made-food-from-electricity-and-it-could-be-the-solution-to-world-hunger/

A Team of Scientists Just Made Food From Electricity — and it Could be the Solution to World Hunger

A Finnish research team has taken a step towards the future of food by developing a method for producing food from electricity. If scaling it up proves to be successful, it could be a tool in the fight against world hunger and climate change.

THE ELECTRIC BIOREACTOR FARM
Finnish researchers have created a batch of single-cell protein that is nutritious enough to serve for dinner using a system powered by renewable energy. The entire process requires only electricity, water, carbon dioxide, and microbes. The synthetic food was created as part of the Food From Electricity project, which is a collaboration between Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

After exposing the raw materials to electrolysis in a bioreactor, the process forms a powder that consists of more than 50 percent protein and 25 percent carbohydrates — the texture can also be changed by altering the microbes used in the production.

The next stage, according to Juha-Pekka Pitkänen, principal scientist at VTT, is to optimize the system because, currently, a bioreactor the size of a coffee cup takes around two weeks to produce one gram of the protein. Pitkänen said in a LUT press release, “We are currently focusing on developing the technology: reactor concepts, technology, improving efficiency, and controlling the process.”

He predicted that it would take about a decade before a more efficient incarnation of the system would be widely available — “Maybe 10 years is a realistic timeframe for reaching commercial capacity, in terms of the necessary legislation and process technology.”

A WORLD WITHOUT HUNGER
The potential impact of food produced using electricity and other widely available raw materials is enormous. Currently, there are two main ways that it could be used.

First, as a means of feeding starving people and providing a source of food in areas that are not suited to agricultural production. Pitkänen said that, in the future, “the technology can be transported to, for instance, deserts and other areas facing famine,” providing a source of cheap and nutritious food to those who need it most.

The machine also works independently of environmental factors, meaning that it could feed people consistently — Jero Ahola, a Professor at LUT, said in the press release that it “does not require a location with the conditions for agriculture, such as the right temperature, humidity or a certain soil type.”

Second, as a means of decreasing global emissions by reducing the demand for food livestock and the crops necessary to feed them. Currently, the meat industry accounts for between 14 and 18 percent of global emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as taking up swarths of land that could be applied for other ends.

The food from electricity project could decrease the amount of unsustainable farming needed to fill our bellies as it provides us with a smaller, cheaper, and renewable method of getting our nutrients. Other solutions to this problem include lab-grown meat or turning to insect farming, which produces less waste and requires less energy.

..bit more like the future we were promised eh .. ?

Sidenote :

throw in some ancient technology, speculation about Ambrosia, Manna and other "food of the gods" and so forth .... ?

**jmurph**

Using a renewable energy source (solar), and captured CO2, it electrically spurs bacteria to process sugars and proteins into more complex arrangements. So basically an artificial plant.

I wonder if the resource requirements aren't more inefficient than natural methods, though. Really, the problem is not that there isn't enough food, it's distribution. People starve because there is no economic incentive otherwise. Even famines and shortages could be addressed, but there is generally no economic incentive to do so.

Going forward, projected population growth, especially in Africa and Asia could make supply a problem. But , there are many challenges that come with such growth, including energy demands.

**NinthMusketeer**

jmurph wrote:
Using a renewable energy source (solar), and captured CO2, it electrically spurs bacteria to process sugars and proteins into more complex arrangements. So basically an artificial plant.

I wonder if the resource requirements aren't more inefficient than natural methods, though. Really, the problem is not that there isn't enough food, it's distribution. People starve because there is no economic incentive otherwise. Even famines and shortages could be addressed, but there is generally no economic incentive to do so.

Going forward, projected population growth, especially in Africa and Asia could make supply a problem. But , there are many challenges that come with such growth, including energy demands.

Yeah. There's enough food, it just doesn't go around.

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

Food from electricity?

Currents? Battery hens?

I'll leave quietly...

**Steve steveson**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Battery hens?

I hear they make the best ohmelettes...

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

Steve steveson wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Battery hens?

I hear they make the best ohmelettes...

But only if they're cooked properly. My resistance to dodgy meals is low these days. I find the experience of a bad meal to be well...shocking.

**Steve steveson**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Steve steveson wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Battery hens?

I hear they make the best ohmelettes...

But only if they're cooked properly. My resistance to dodgy meals is low these days. I find the experience of a bad meal to be well...shocking.

Stop being so negative! I’m sure you have the power to transform.

**feeder**

This current trend of electrical jokes has exceeded my capacity for bad puns.

**Grey Templar**

Steve steveson wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Battery hens?

I hear they make the best ohmelettes...

As an Ag major, I approve of this joke

**Jadenim**

jmurph wrote:
Using a renewable energy source (solar), and captured CO2, it electrically spurs bacteria to process sugars and proteins into more complex arrangements. So basically an artificial plant.

I wonder if the resource requirements aren't more inefficient than natural methods, though. Really, the problem is not that there isn't enough food, it's distribution. People starve because there is no economic incentive otherwise. Even famines and shortages could be addressed, but there is generally no economic incentive to do so.

Going forward, projected population growth, especially in Africa and Asia could make supply a problem. But , there are many challenges that come with such growth, including energy demands.

I read some research / position papers from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers on food supply that suggested about a third of food grown in the developing world is wasted due to lack of refrigerated storage and transport infrastructure. 1/3. 33%. All for the sake of some lorries and warehouses that have been commonplace in the developed world for decades. So yes, there are probably more immediately practical and efficient measures that could deal with current problems.

Having said that, a technology that reduces land use, potentially reduces the dependence on methane producing herds and actively absorbs CO2 is definitely worth developing for the long term. Also, could really have helped Matt Damon out when he was trapped on Mars...

And I see no further potential for electrical jokes.

**Kilkrazy**

feeder wrote:
This current trend of electrical jokes has exceeded my capacity for bad puns.

I agree!.

One more such and I shall be completely revolted.

**KingCracker**

Steve steveson wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Steve steveson wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Battery hens?

I hear they make the best ohmelettes...

But only if they're cooked properly. My resistance to dodgy meals is low these days. I find the experience of a bad meal to be well...shocking.

Stop being so negative! I’m sure you have the power to transform.

feeder wrote:This current trend of electrical jokes has exceeded my capacity for bad puns.

This is why I still come to DAKKA.

**jmurph**

Kilkrazy wrote:
feeder wrote:
This current trend of electrical jokes has exceeded my capacity for bad puns.

I agree!.

One more such and I shall be completely revolted.

So much for sparking useful discussion. Seems like a lot of static on this thread....

**Xenomancers**

jmurph wrote:
Using a renewable energy source (solar), and captured CO2, it electrically spurs bacteria to process sugars and proteins into more complex arrangements. So basically an artificial plant.

I wonder if the resource requirements aren't more inefficient than natural methods, though. Really, the problem is not that there isn't enough food, it's distribution. People starve because there is no economic incentive otherwise. Even famines and shortages could be addressed, but there is generally no economic incentive to do so.

Going forward, projected population growth, especially in Africa and Asia could make supply a problem. But , there are many challenges that come with such growth, including energy demands.

Yep - plants already do this better.

Quinoa for example - grows practically anywhere regardless of soil quality. It has practically everything you need to live and it doesn't spoil. Plus - plants make their own energy so it just makes sense to use plants. It's probably tastier too.

**Just Tony**

feeder wrote:This current trend of electrical jokes has exceeded my capacity for bad puns.

I'm sorry you feel such resistance to the humor.

**Grey Templar**

Really the only practical application of this tech would be as a food source for space ships on long interstellar voyages. Assuming you didn't want to go whole hog and have your ship have a large enough farm aboard to grow food. But even then it would be pretty much a 50/50 tossup on which to go with. Real food from crops and animals you grew on board would be more appealing long term. While a bacteria farm would save a lot of space, though since its a space ship you are free to simply make it bigger as long as you don't need it to land.

**sirlynchmob**

feeder wrote:
This current trend of electrical jokes has exceeded my capacity for bad puns.

I hear this thread is already in violation of Ohms Law.

I hope these guys make this project work. sounds like really cool stuff.

**sebster**

jmurph wrote:
Using a renewable energy source (solar), and captured CO2, it electrically spurs bacteria to process sugars and proteins into more complex arrangements. So basically an artificial plant.

I wonder if the resource requirements aren't more inefficient than natural methods, though. Really, the problem is not that there isn't enough food, it's distribution. People starve because there is no economic incentive otherwise. Even famines and shortages could be addressed, but there is generally no economic incentive to do so.

It isn't really economics. Food is cheap and there are lots of aid agencies. The biggest issue in immediate crises is logistics, in longer term crises politics is the biggest problem - dumping food pallets just gives bad guys another resource to sell to supply their war effort, with nothing going to the people in need. Negotiating for controlled distribution is inherently messy and limited.

I don't really see how this device helps with any of that.

I guess I could see it being useful for people living in places where plants don't grow, the Antarctic for instance. But that seems a pretty limited use.

**Kilkrazy**

Xenomancers wrote:
jmurph wrote:
Using a renewable energy source (solar), and captured CO2, it electrically spurs bacteria to process sugars and proteins into more complex arrangements. So basically an artificial plant.

I wonder if the resource requirements aren't more inefficient than natural methods, though. Really, the problem is not that there isn't enough food, it's distribution. People starve because there is no economic incentive otherwise. Even famines and shortages could be addressed, but there is generally no economic incentive to do so.

Going forward, projected population growth, especially in Africa and Asia could make supply a problem. But , there are many challenges that come with such growth, including energy demands.

Yep - plants already do this better.

Quinoa for example - grows practically anywhere regardless of soil quality. It has practically everything you need to live and it doesn't spoil. Plus - plants make their own energy so it just makes sense to use plants. It's probably tastier too.

Yeah but Quinoa is Quinoa!

This technology is what some SF books call CHON food -- mass production of basic nutritional chemicals by a kind of factory, typically used in spaceships and asteroid habitats as a basic level of food security.

We already have vertical farms using hydroponics and high efficiency LED lighting, and production of fungal protein (Quorn.)

All these technologies dispense with the need for soil, which is a lot harder to make than people think, and is running out in some places.

They also dispense with the need for bees for fertilization, another alarming weak link in our current food chain given that the Daleks are luring them all away to the end of the universe.

**Iron_Captain**

I don't think this will be really helpful in fighting world hunger (which as has already been noted is a distribution problem that this invention does nothing to combat), but I find interesting the possibilities of this technology for space travel.

Also, the electricity puns definitely sparked a laugh in me. Never stop being awesome Dakka.