Carrots made by printer win prize - 20th November 2023

Two university students in Qatar have just won an important prize. The young scientists are Lujain Al Mansoori and Mohammad Annan and the pair are able to create carrots with a special 3D printer.

At the competition for modern business ideas, the students won $6,800. This is for developing their project further.

3D printers are already used to make certain types of food. For example, they create food for older people which is easier to eat. But before this, the process was long and slow.

The scientists' invention uses ultraviolet (UV) light with food for the first time. And that means food's produced quickly.

The scientists first grow vegetable cells in a laboratory. Those are necessary to create the printer 'ink'. They add an ingredient which, under UV light, behaves in a special way. When it's put in the printer, the vegetable cells are built into a carrot. In fact, any shape can be made!

The final product looks and tastes like a carrot, and it's just as healthy. But it's cheaper.

Qatar, which is mostly desert, has to buy in fresh fruit and vegetables. This invention's exciting for Qatar, but it could also give hope to poorer countries.