User:Eap5266
Biography
I am a senior Civil Engineering Student at PSU. I was born and raised in Wilkes Barre, PA. I attended The Wilkes Barre branch campus of Penn State for two years before transferring to University Park.
In the future, I plan to be a successful Civil/Environmental engineer at a private firm and own my own dog rescue.
This page will be used to update course work and progress for one of my current classes, EDSGN 497J.
Blog Response to "Nursing Homes in Germany Serve 3D Printed Food"
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nursing-homes-in-germany-serve-3d-printed-food/
Apparently Germany has jumped on the 3D printing bandwagon in a very unique, very big way. The idea of using this new technology to better the lives of the elderly is outstanding. Elderly people have many day to day obstacles to overcome and eating shouldn't be one of them. That being said, baby food like purees are unappetizing and can make the elderly feel even more disabled than they may be. This makes eating a chore or an embarrassment when it should be something that is enjoyed. 3D printing pureed food into recognizable shapes allows patients to enjoy food again, without the risk of harm.
Despite the obvious positives, this use of printing is still questionable. For one, it's costly. Many nursing homes have rejected the idea due to cost comparison. Simply put, a blender is cheaper than a 3D printer. You then have to assign a dollar value to the happiness of patients to determine worth.
Then there are issues with safety. Would multiple printers be needed for multiple foods? Can cross contamination occur within the printers nozzle? Are standards in this case the same as that in a traditional kitchen? The phrase "secret texturizer" raises a red flag. If this food is being fed to people, don't they have the right to know what they're eating?
Overall, the idea is great. It's obviously taken off in Germany since "the concept has been adopted in over 1,000 retirement homes," however it's possible that the technology grew too popular, too fast. I mean, who would trust a company with a name acronym like "PERFORMANCE (PERsonalised FOod using Rapid MAnufacturing for the Nutrition of elderly ConsumErs)'...honestly.
