China is leveraging advancements from its space technology to transform how we preserve food on Earth. Engineers from the China Academy of Space Technology have repurposed a cutting-edge barrier film, initially designed for the orbital China Space Station (CSS), to enhance the freshness and longevity of everyday meals.
The innovative barrier film effectively blocks gases and germs, providing superior protection compared to traditional packaging methods. In a recent demonstration, researchers showcased an experiment where tofu stored in regular packaging decayed after seven days. In contrast, tofu placed in containers made with the new high-barrier film remained fresh throughout the same period.
Cai Yuhong, a member of the research team, highlighted the limitations of the currently used silver aluminum foil films in the Chinese market. These traditional films are opaque, unsuitable for microwave processing, and non-recyclable, posing environmental and practical challenges. Only a handful of countries currently produce more advanced films.
\"The new high-barrier film we developed draws inspiration from space coating technology,\" Cai explained. Originally, this coating was designed to protect the space station's cables from atomic oxygen, which can erode spacecraft materials in low-orbital environments. By adapting this technology for food preservation, China is setting a new standard for maintaining the health and freshness of food products.
Reference(s):
China Space Station's coating tech enhances food preservation on Earth
cgtn.com