US space agency Nasa will help fund the construction of the world's first 3D food printer, according to a Fox News report.
The agency believes the 3D-printed food will eventually be able to provide food for astronauts on long-distance journeys.
A device reportedly capable of the 3D printing of food has been invented by mechanical engineer Anjan Contractor, who has been awarded a $125 000 (R1.1-million) grant by Nasa to produce the food.
''The food printer is fed on cartridges of powders and oils containing all the nutrients needed for a healthy diet - which work in much the same way as a standard printer's ink cartridges.
''The ingredients are sprayed on layer-by-layer by the 3D printer, eventually creating solid, three-dimensional food,'' the Fox News report said.
Contractor will apparently first attempt to print a pizza, with the dough printed first, followed by a tomato base and ''protein-layer'' topping.
The 3D printing technology made headlines earlier this month when a group of US anarchists created a 3D-printed gun and published the design online.
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