Futures - Platinum in-flight food system
Challenge
The platinum in-flight food system is an investigation into how technology might be able to offer airline passengers a meal cooked to exacting restaurant standards. Currently cost, time and weight work against such a notion so the Platinum project combines a selection of technologies to see what could be achieved in the near future.
Solution
Each compartment contains fresh ingredients that are cooked using an induction heating process, giving steamed, grilled, fried and even chilled foods, simultaneously. The metallic loop produces a char-grill effect. The steam compartment contains replenishable, gel-based water pockets and the chilled compartment is created using a Peltier effect.
At ticket purchase each meal choice generates a profile, ultimately embedded in the meal unit, identifying the passenger, meal and bespoke cooking instructions.
Result
The beauty of this concept is its compatibility with aircraft conditions. With a local energy heating method, high efficiency and minimal heat loss, as well as virtually 100% material re-use, this product meets the strict criteria for maximising essential weight-fuel cost conversions. The Nett result is restaurant quality food that is efficient for carriers to process
