The Science of Alt Protein: The mechanical signature of plant-based meat
Ellen Kuhl, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Event description
Eating less meat is associated with a healthier body and planet. Yet, we remain reluctant to switch to a plant-based diet, largely due to the sensory experience of plant-based meat. Food scientists characterize meat using a double compression test, which only probes one-dimensional behavior.
In this talk, Dr. Kuhl will share her experience of using tension, compression, and shear tests—combined with constitutive neural networks—to automatically discover the behavior of eight plant-based and animal meats across the entire three-dimensional spectrum. Dr. Kuhl and her team published a study that showed plant-based sausage and hotdog, with stiffnesses of 96kPa and 39kPa, successfully mimic their animal counterparts, with 64kPa and 44kPa, while Tofurky is twice as stiff, and tofu is twice as soft.
Strikingly, their complementary food tasting survey produced in nearly identical stiffness rankings for all eight products. They anticipate their models to be a first step towards using generative artificial intelligence to scientifically reverse-engineer formulas for plant-based meats with customer-friendly tunable properties.
Meet the speaker
Ellen Kuhl, Ph.D.
CATHERINE HOLMAN JOHNSON DIRECTOR OF STANFORD BIO-X
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Ellen is the Catherine Holman Johnson Director of Stanford Bio-X and the Walter B. Reinhold Professor in the School of Engineering. She is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
Her area of expertise is Living Matter Physics, the design of theoretical and computational models to simulate and predict the behavior of living systems in the benefit of human and planetary health. Her recent work focuses on Automated Model Discovery and integrates mechanical testing, mathematical modeling, and custom-designed physics-based neural networks. Ellen’s lab applies these technologies to characterize the mechanical signature and plant-based and animal meats. She has published more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and edited two books.
Ellen is an All American triathlete, a multiple Berlin, Boston, and New York marathon runner, and a three-time Kona Ironman World Championship finisher.
Upcoming events
View all events
Reuters Events Transform Food & Agriculture USA 2025
Join GFI’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Engagement, Caroline Bushnell at Reuters Events: Transform Food & Agriculture in Minneapolis.
NCSU Bezos Center Summit
GFI’s Maddie Cohen, associate director of regulatory affairs, will join a panel at the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein’s inaugural summit, contributing to an energizing discussion on the current state…
The Science of Alt Protein: Enzymatic treatment of hemp for highly functional plant-based meat ingredient in commercial manufacturing
Discover how Dr. Simsek aims to provide value-added strategies through enzyme modification for hemp processing byproducts.
The state of Canadian and U.S. pulse farming in 2025
Join GFI and Pulse Canada for The Pulse Chain, a three-part webinar series spotlighting Canadian and U.S. pulse growers at the heart of sustainable protein innovation. Hear firsthand how pulses…
Bridge2Food North American Symposium – APP Regional Student Symposium (Alt Protein Project)
After a successful student-led showcase in Brazil earlier this year, the Alt Protein Project is headed to the U.S.! Meet some of our incredible student leaders at the Bridge2Food North…
National FFA Convention & Expo
Event description The National FFA Convention & Expo is all about growing the next generation of leaders—and so is GFI. That’s why Jeremy Eltz, Ph.D., GFI’s Education and Workforce Development…
Sustainability from farm to fork: pulse grower practices
Join GFI and Pulse Canada for The Pulse Chain, a three-part webinar series spotlighting Canadian and U.S. pulse growers at the heart of sustainable protein innovation. Hear firsthand how pulses…
COP30: United Nations Climate Change Conference
COP30 Belém brings the world together at a critical moment for global transformative climate action. Join GFI and other alternative protein experts at this historic event!
