Christine Peacock
In order to freeze our beverages or foods, we all use ice cubes. However, there is a technological innovation that may take the place of traditional ice: jelly ice cubes. These are spongy structures made of hydrogel that absorb and retain water. Just like regular ice cubes, they must be frozen in order to be effective.
There are benefits to using this new innovation. First, they save water. They can be used multiple times without replacing the water that is absorbed in the cubes. Regular ice cubes are made of pure water, and after food has been chilled in a cooler, the ice cubes melt, and water accumulates at the bottom of the cooler. This wastes water. Second, after these jelly cubes have been well used and are ready to be thrown away, they are biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly. Last, when using regular ice cubes to freeze meat, large ice crystals form, and this damages the cells of the meat. This destruction changes the texture of meat. In jelly ice cubes, molecules called polymers control the size of ice crystals, therefore reducing the damage of meat cells.
However, jelly ice cubes have drawbacks. First, they are more expensive than regular ice cubes, but reusing them multiple times makes purchasing them worth it. Second, the hydrogel itself is a food source for microorganisms, including the ones that make us sick. In some cases, when we freeze our food and drinks with jelly cubes, harmful bacteria can be transferred from the cubes to the food or beverages.
These hydrogel ice cubes are a great new advancement in technology. While they have their disadvantages, they have good advantages like saving water. What do you think? Could these be the future ice cubes?
Reference:
Carpenter, K. G. (2022, January 16). Could reusable 'jelly ice' cubes replace regular ice? Science News for Students. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/innovation-2022-reusable-jelly-ice-cubes
