COMPUTATIONAL FOODthe hidden code of edible materials

MIT Media Lab : Mas.834 Tangible Interfaces : Fall 2014

Viirj Kan Judith Amores Chikara Inamura Yujie Hong Dhruv Jain

FOOD HA S MANY PROPERTIES

Conductivity Capacitance Resistance

Electrical

Fats Carbohydrates Proteins

NutritionBiodegradable Growth Phase change

EcologyFlavor Aroma Haptic

SensoryExperiential Emotive Memories

Social

PH Reactivity Thermal

ChemicalPlasticity Ductility Elasticity

MechanicalColor Transparency

Optical

PRE- INDUSTRIAL REV OLUTIONfood was both our source for nutrients and for use as clothing, medicine and many more

INDUSTRIAL REV OLUTIONwe isolated and extracted the elements in food products as we exploited our capabilities to manipulate food on a molecular level

CURRENT DAYtoday we utilize the isolated, abstracted, and refined ingredients from originally edible ingredients into a plethora of products where some edible, some cosmetic, others toxic.

3 polysaccharides

EXPLORATION

Potato

Citrus

Seaweed

Seaweed

Sodium (Na)

Sodium Alginate

Edible Seaweed Gaviscon

Heartburn Medicine

Waterproof & Fireproof Fabrics

Thickener for ice-cream

Apparel

Potato

Potato starch

Paper adhesive

Brewing Vodka

Mashed potatoes

Textile warp sizing

Cardboard

Yarn

Packing peanuts

Pastries

Citrus

Pectin

Citric Acid

Orange Juice

Toothpaste

Jam Cigar glue

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF FOOD? as we gain greater control of our food, they will look, shape, smell and behave increasingly unfamiliar from its original form - with potentially harmful side effects

TOOLKITS FOR T W O L IKELY FUTURESCONNECTIONCONTROLfor people to reestablish the relationship with the food by unfolding the invisible data to protect oneself from potential risks

for people to manipulate food with greater control and derive edible, functional, and interactive materials.

CONNECTIONregain connection to source of foods

CONTROL to manipulate food to make, shape and taste

TOOLS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE Control food to generate new experiences Reestablish connection with food

"Tangible media will free us from restricted interfaces, allowing us to hold, wear, and even eat our bits - "digesting" them in ways never before considered possible.”

- Nicholas Negroponte