Category Archives: Science

From Robo Baristas to AI Diet Coaches: Food Trends, CES 2026

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From Agentic AI to Quantum Cloud: Business Trends, CES 2026

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Top Innovations from CES 2025: AI, Robotics, and More

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Top 10 Green Jobs: Careers Making a Positive Impact on the Environment

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The Effect and Impact of Food Tech on Society

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Food technology is the application of science and engineering to produce, process, preserve, and distribute food. It has evolved rapidly in recent years, driven by consumer demand, environmental concerns, and innovation. Let’s explore some of the effects and impacts of food tech on society, both positive and negative.

One of the positive effects is that it can improve food quality, safety, and nutrition. For example, food tech can help prevent food spoilage and contamination, enhance food flavor and texture, fortify food with vitamins and minerals, and create new food products that cater to specific dietary needs or preferences. Food tech can also reduce food waste by extending shelf life, optimizing supply chains, and transforming food scraps into valuable products.

Another positive effect is that it can increase food security and accessibility. Food tech can help produce more food with fewer resources, such as land, water, energy, and labor.

For example, it can enable vertical farming (the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers), hydroponics (a type of horticulture that involves growing plants-crops or medicinal-without soil by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions), aquaponics (a food production system combining raising fish, snails, etc. in tanks, for example, with hydroponics), and biotechnology (the production of products from raw materials with the help of living organisms) which can increase crop yields, reduce environmental impact, and adapt to changing climate conditions. Food tech can also make food more affordable and available to people in remote or underserved areas, such as through e-commerce, delivery services, and mobile apps.

Other aspects include:

– Smart packaging: This is the use of sensors, indicators, or materials that can monitor or extend the freshness, quality, or safety of food products. For example, smart packaging can change color when food is spoiled, release antimicrobial agents to prevent bacterial growth or regulate oxygen or moisture levels to preserve food.

– Plant-based meat: This is the production of meat alternatives from plant sources, such as soy, pea, or wheat. Plant-based meat can mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of animal meat, but with lower environmental impact and health risks. For example, plant-based meat can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water consumption, and animal suffering.

– 3D food printing: This is creating food products by depositing layers of edible materials using a computer-controlled device. 3D food printing can customize food shapes, sizes, colors, flavors, or nutrients according to individual preferences or needs. For example, 3D food printing can create personalized snacks, desserts, or meals for people with special dietary requirements or allergies.

However, food tech also has some negative effects and impacts on society. One of them is that it can pose ethical, social, and cultural challenges. For example, there are raised questions about animal welfare, genetic modification, intellectual property rights, and consumer trust. People’s relationship with food can also be affected, such as their eating habits, preferences, values, and traditions. Some people may resist or reject food tech due to personal beliefs, health concerns, or lack of awareness.

Another negative effect of food tech is that it can create new risks and uncertainties. For example, it can introduce new allergens, toxins, or pathogens into the food system, which can harm human health or the environment. Food tech can also disrupt existing markets, industries, and livelihoods, which can cause economic or social instability; and it can also be vulnerable to cyberattacks, sabotage, or misuse, which can compromise food safety or security.

Because of its significant effect and impact on society, food tech can bring many benefits but also challenges. Therefore, it is important to balance the opportunities and risks with careful regulation, education, and participation. By doing so, we can ensure that food tech serves the best interests of humanity and the planet.

Food Tech Trends from CES 2024 (and a few classics)

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CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is not only a showcase for the latest gadgets and innovations, but also a platform for food technology trends that shape the future of food production, delivery and consumption.

If you’re a foodie who loves technology, the latest innovations recently showcased at CES 2024 will be sure to please your “palate.”

Here are three attention grabbers:

– Robots that make food: Whether you crave ice cream, cocktails, ramen, or pho, there is a robot that can make it for you at CES 2024. Some of the examples are Sweet Robo, a soft serve ice cream machine that can whip up vanilla, chocolate, or pistachio in less than 2 minutes; iGulu, a smart home brewer that can produce 40 liters of beer in two weeks; Yo-Kai Express, an autonomous restaurant that can cook and dispense hot bowls of Asian noodles in 90 seconds; and FrazyBot, a robot chef that can fry up to 200 portions of french fries per hour.

– AI-powered appliances: Artificial intelligence is not only helping robots to make food, but also helping humans to cook better. Some of the appliances that use AI to enhance your culinary skills are Brisk It’s NeoSear, a smart grill that can create custom recipes and control the temperature and time for you; Chef AI’s air fryer, which can recognize the food you put in and adjust the settings accordingly; and Sevvy’s Smart Cooker, which uses pulsed electric field and Ohmic heating technology to cook food faster and preserve nutrients.

– Personalized nutrition: Another trend that emerged at CES 2024 is the use of technology to tailor your food and drinks to your preferences and needs. Some of the devices that can do this are Bunafr, a smart coffee maker that can brew different types of coffee beans and adjust the strength, temperature, and flavor according to your taste; ColdSnap, a no-clean ice cream machine that can make frozen treats from pods in two minutes; and Samsung’s Family Hub refrigerator, which can scan your face and suggest recipes based on your health goals and mood.

Classic food trends from CES events, 2013-2023

Some of the most notable food tech developments that have been featured at CES events from 2013 to 2023 are:

– In 2013, Philips introduced the HomeCooker Next, a smart cooking device that can chop, stir, steam and fry ingredients according to recipes downloaded from an app. The device can also be controlled remotely via a smartphone or tablet.

– In 2016, Whirlpool unveiled the Zera Food Recycler, a device that can turn food scraps into fertilizer in 24 hours. The device uses a combination of oxygen, moisture, heat and a plant-based additive to break down food waste and reduce its volume by two-thirds.

– In 2019, Impossible Foods debuted the Impossible Burger 2.0, a plant-based burger that mimics the taste, texture and aroma of beef. The burger uses soy protein, coconut oil, sunflower oil and heme, a molecule that gives meat its color and flavor. The burger was hailed as one of the best products of CES 2019 by several media outlets.

– In 2020, LG showcased the LG InstaView ThinQ refrigerator, a smart fridge that can recognize the items inside and suggest recipes based on them. The fridge also has a transparent door that can turn into a touchscreen display with a voice assistant and a camera that can scan barcodes and expiration dates.

– In 2021, ColdSnap presented its rapid freezing appliance that can make ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies and cocktails in less than two minutes. The appliance uses recyclable aluminum pods that contain shelf-stable ingredients and can be stored at room temperature.

– In 2022, Blok introduced its modular food system that can create personalized meals based on individual preferences, dietary needs and health goals. The system consists of a smart dispenser that can mix and match different ingredients from pods, a smart plate that can measure portions and calories, and a smart app that can track nutrition and provide feedback.

– In 2023, Samsung unveiled its Bespoke AI Oven, an oven that can recognize dishes and suggest optimal cooking settings based on an internal camera and AI. The oven can also send notifications to the user if the dish is at risk of burning or overcooking.

Book Review: “Lessons in Chemistry”

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In this captivating novel, Bonnie Garmus weaves together science, love, and ambition.

The story follows the life of Dr. Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant, gifted research chemist navigating the male-dominated world of academia in the late 1950s and early 1960s who becomes a single mother and a TV cooking show host after being fired from her job at Hastings Research Institute.

As she grapples with her own secrets and desires, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and scientific breakthroughs with fantastic determination.

Several themes emerge:

  • Gender Equality: The novel delves into the challenges faced by women in STEM fields during an era when their contributions were often overlooked.
  • Passion for Science: The author beautifully captures the excitement and curiosity that drives scientists to explore the unknown.
  • Personal Sacrifices: Dr. Zott’s choices between career and personal life highlight the sacrifices required to pursue one’s dreams.

Writing Style: Garmus’s prose is elegant and evocative, seamlessly blending scientific explanations with emotional depth. The chemistry puns sprinkled throughout add a delightful touch.

According to the author, her inspiration to write Lessons in Chemistry came from her own experience as a woman working in male-dominated fields, as well as her fascination with the history of science and cooking.

She said in an interview with The Guardian: “I wanted to write about a woman who was brilliant at science, but also had a sense of humor and a rebellious streak. I also wanted to show how cooking can be a form of chemistry, and how Elizabeth uses her scientific knowledge to create recipes that are both delicious and educational.”

She also revealed that she did extensive research on the period, the scientific topics, and the culinary trends of the time and that she consulted with experts in chemistry, physics, and food science to make sure her novel was accurate and authentic.

Overall Impression: “Lessons in Chemistry” is thought-provoking and beautifully crafted, celebrating the pursuit of knowledge, love, and resilience. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or simply appreciate well-written fiction, this book is a must-read (without a doubt, it’s the best fiction I’ve read in years, if not the best).

I’ll remember “Chemistry” long after reading it; you may find yourself reassessing your life, your mother’s, and perhaps that of other female relatives (at least in my case, it did). and I now look at cooking in a brand-new light (it’s a delicious, scientific art form; how cool is that?).

I would like to end with the closing words on the final episode of the cooking show “Supper at Six“:

“Whenever you start doubting yourself, whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change-and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve.

and no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. and then get started.”

“And then I’m going to ask each of you to take a moment and recommit. Challenge yourself, ladies. Use the laws of chemistry and change the status quo.”