3D-printing Mooncakes with AI by ISD Postgraduate Students
Under the guidance of Prof. Mitch LI, Assistant Professor of the Division Integrative System and Design (ISD), a group of postgraduate research students are leading a 3D food printing project intending to revolutionize personalized nutrition using their patented smart 3D printing and multi-level cooking technology. Their innovative approach to custom food innovation reduces food waste by providing on-demand meals and food by-products, targeting specific groups such as elderly individuals with swallowing disorders, patients and children with special diets, and athletes.
In addition to its advanced 3D food printing technology, the research team utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the customization of its products. One exciting application of their AI food design automation (patent pending) is the creation of customized 3D-printed mooncakes with unique shapes and contents. Traditionally enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes are available in various flavors and fillings, but with the integration of AI technology, they undergo a groundbreaking transformation.
The team leverages AI to analyze individual aesthetic preferences through keyword input, allowing for generating visually captivating and unique food shapes for mooncakes. Additionally, by considering customers' nutritional requirements, they can create personalized mooncakes tailored to everyone’s needs. This level of customization represents a significant advancement in 3D food printing, expanding its scope beyond conventional applications such as chocolate printing.
With their innovative approach, the research team is at the forefront of revolutionizing the food industry, demonstrating that 3D food printing can transcend its previous limitations and unlock new realms of creativity and customization. Their pioneering efforts in combining AI and 3D printing technology have the potential to transform the way we approach personalized nutrition, providing a unique and exciting approach to food design and production.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class research intensive university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. Over 80% of our research work were rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. We were ranked 3rd in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2022, and our graduates were ranked 23rd worldwide and among the best from universities from Asia in Global Employability University Ranking and Survey 2021.
