The research team led by Prof. Mitch LI, Assistant Professor of the Division of Integrative Systems and Design, aims to revolutionize the food industry with 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI), so that people can have food that is tailored to their tastes and nutritional needs.

The team has built a next-generation food-printing device that can prepare ready-to-eat baked food, like cookies or bread, that contain precisely how much of the various compounds people need, depending on their fiber, fat, or sugar levels. To top it all off, the device only needs minutes to produce something from scratch. 

In addition to its patented 3D food printing technology, the research team uses AI to enhance the customization of its products, such as 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 and 3D printing, the traditional delicacy is transformed with the help of science and technology. Mr. John LEE, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, was one of the earliest to sample the mooncake during a visit to the HKUST campus in 2023.

The team leverages AI to also analyze how people want their food to look with the help of keywords. That allows them to concoct food that appeals to individual tastes. This level of customization is a big step forward in 3D food printing, expanding its scope beyond conventional applications such as chocolate printing.

One key advantage of this approach to custom food innovation is that it can reduce food waste, as it provides meals on demand. The ability to customize food precisely also means it can help groups with special needs, such as elderly individuals with swallowing disorders, patients and children with special diets, and athletes.