Dr. Mohammad Ghosheh and Prof. Yaakov Nahmias (Credit – Hebrew University)

 

What do alternative meat and aerospace techology have in common? Israeli and Palestinian engineers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have pioneered the use of metamaterials to produce whole cuts of meat. By adapting materials science typically used in aerospace, they’ve developed a method that replicates the texture and structure of traditional meat—while being more scalable and cost-effective than 3D printing. With livestock farming consuming over 30% of global freshwater, this innovation offers a promising path toward sustainable food production.

 

From Aerospace to the Dinner Plate

The research team, led by Dr. Mohammad Ghosheh and Prof. Yaakov Nahmias, from the Grass Center for Bioengineering, pioneered a cost-effective and scalable method using injection molding—a technique typically found in the polymer and aerospace industries—to manufacture whole cuts of meat analogues. “Our work demonstrates the untapped potential of metamaterials in food technology,” said Prof. Nahmias. “By harnessing their unique structural properties, we have developed a solution that is not only sustainable but also scalable, addresses the growing global demand for meat while mitigating its environmental impact.”

 

“Our work demonstrates the untapped potential of metamaterials in food technology. By harnessing their unique structural properties, we have developed a solution that is not only sustainable but also scalable, addressing the growing global demand for meat while mitigating its environmental impact.” - Prof. Nahmias

 

Metamaterials, composite materials whose properties are defined by their structure rather than their composition, are at the core of this innovation. By adapting structural principles used in aerospace design, the team successfully created plant-based alternatives that mimic both the texture of muscle and the behavior of animal fat.

 

Central to the development are two unique materials:

• LTMA (Low-Temperature Meat Analogue): Designed to replicate the fibrous texture of real muscle tissue.

• PtoG (Proteoleogel): A plant-protein-stabilized oleogel that mimics the melt and structural qualities of animal fat.

These materials enable the production of complex meat cuts—like steaks, chops, and even T-bones—with remarkable sensory fidelity.
 

Beyond 3D Printing: The Power of Injection Molding

While 3D printing has offered exciting possibilities for alternative meat, it remains slow and costly. Injection molding, on the other hand, provides a transformative leap in efficiency and affordability. At industrial scale, the new method can reduce production costs to $9 per kilogram—about a quarter of the cost of 3D-printed alternatives—potentially making sustainable meat substitutes accessible to more consumers.

Blind taste tests conducted during the study found that participants could not distinguish between the new steak analogue and traditional meat. This signals a significant step forward in consumer acceptance of alternative proteins—especially for whole cuts, which represent over half of global meat consumption.
 

Learn More

The full study, “Metamaterial-Based Injection Molding for the Cost-Effective Production of Whole Cuts,” is now available in Nature Communications: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54939-y

For a century, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been a beacon for visionary minds who challenge norms and shape the future. Founded by luminaries like Albert Einstein, who entrusted his intellectual legacy to the university, it is dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering leadership, and promoting diversity. Home to over 23,000 students from 90 countries, the Hebrew University drives much of Israel’s civilian scientific research, with over 11,000 patents and groundbreaking contributions recognized by nine Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. Ranked 81st globally by the Shanghai Ranking (2024), it celebrates a century of excellence in research, education, and innovation. To learn more about the University’s academic programs, research, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en.