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Aside from being famous for some pretty tricked out milkshakes, Australia is also known for kangaroos, Finding Nemo, and, of course, Vegemite. The tar-colored paste made from yeast extract is basically the go-to spread for those Down Under, while its malty, umami flavor bewilders the rest of the world.
But tasting strange isn't all it does. Recently, Marc in het Panhuis, a professor at the University of Wollongong, discovered that the condiment can also conduct electricity because it contains iron and water. Say what?!
In a video, Panhuis demonstrates Vegemite's scientific capabilities by squeezing it out through a syringe between two wires. With the spread, he completes a circuit that's connected to a small lightbulb, which swiftly lights up. He doesn't stop there, though: Panhuis goes on to 3-D print the spread onto a piece of bread and complete the circuit from there—all before diving into the slice for a bite.
Apparently Vegemite isn't the only food with electric potential. According to FWx, Panhuis has also been experimenting with Jell-O, and has hopes to fully develop food electronics by the end of his seven-year funding period. He's billing it as an eco-friendly alternative, saying "What I'm suggesting is that we can eat our electronics, and then they can perform a function and naturally go away."
Electric food is definitely something we can get behind—just think how amazing it would be if your pizza fries could cook themselves. So, fingers crossed the Panhuis project pans out.
[youtube ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=55&v=TpCDg69hj1E[/youtube]
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