Research Projects
Forced Assembly Structuring
Background:
By using physical gradients to arrange and align particles, this method enables the formation of varied structures essential for developing complex food textures.
Objectives:
- Investigate the impact of various process parameters and material characteristics on food matrix restructuring through forced alignment.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the physical principles governing forced assembly structuring and material interactions.
- Explore potential applications of forced assembly structuring in creating novel food structures with enhanced functionalities and textures for diverse implementations in the food industry.
Biostructuring
Background:
Fungi are emerging as promising materials for sustainable food production due to their unique properties and nutritional benefits. They offer a sustainable and efficient source of protein, essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Additionally, fungi require less land, water, and energy compared to traditional agriculture, enhancing the stability and resilience of global food systems.
Objectives:
- Analyze the 3D growth patterns of fungi in various scaffolds.
- Identify optimal conditions and materials for fungal growth.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between fungi and different scaffold environments.
Thermal Processing
Background:
Thermal processing, particularly extrusion, is a pivotal technique in food science known for transforming raw materials into structured food products. However, current high-moisture extrusion products face significant challenges. They are costly due to expensive raw material selection and limited availability. Moreover, these products are difficult to manufacture under challenging processing conditions and are often restricted in their raw material options and final applications, such as storage temperature requirements and sensory properties.
Objectives:
- Rethink and optimize the extrusion process to expand processing capabilities across a wider range of raw materials.
- Innovate and implement hardware modifications to extrusion equipment to enhance versatility and adaptability.
