The project "Food from electricity." How is that even possible?
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In recent years, experts agree that a permanent increase in the number of inhabitants of our planet, making traditional agriculture less efficient in order to feed humanity. Therefore, attempts to create "alternative sources" of food. Scientists from Finland in the framework of the joint project University of Technology Lappeenranta and company VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland "the Food is out of electricity" has created a prototype mobile laboratory, where they could get protein, using electricity, water, carbon dioxide and bacteria.
The Main element of the system is the bioreactor, which fits for water, microbes, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. Single-celled bacteria grow in the bioreactor, which supplied a renewable source of energy (the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen). Also in the capacity of carbon dioxide flows from the atmosphere. Nutrients microbes get nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. The resulting mass is dried and finally resembles a powder. Says one of the scientists involved in the project, Juha-Pekka Pitkanen of the company VTT Technical
"In the long term protein created by electricity may be intended for use in cooking. The mixture is highly nutritious, it is more than 50 percent protein and 25 percent from carbohydrates. The remaining part is the fats and nucleic acids. The consistency of the final product can be modified by changing the organisms used in production".
The production of 1 gram of protein takes about 2 weeks. Thus, the dimensions of the bioreactor in fact do not exceed the size of a coffee Cup. According to the creators, if you increase the size of production, their process will be several times more efficient than photosynthesis.
"compared to traditional agriculture under the development of new production method does not require a parcel for agriculture conditions – temperature, humidity, or a certain type of soil. In addition, this method does not require pest control".
Of Course, the resulting powder was extremely difficult to call a full meal, but the protein is already quite edible and can be used not only as feed for animals but also for the preparation of some dishes. Using new technologies to "food of electricity" is possible even in regions where agriculture is not developed due to a number of reasons. Surveys designed for 3 years, and during this time, scientists plan to improve the technology.
Based on the materials «vesti.EN»
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