Two KIC grants awarded with impact in the food industry and beyond
Two of five NWO KIC grants go to chemistry researchers
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How can smart materials accelerate innovation? Five research projects within the NWO KIC program ‘Smart materials: from responsive to adaptive’ will investigate smart materials and their complex functionalities. Both professor Albert Schenning and professor Michael Debije have received a KIC grant for projects that have an impactful sustainability aim.
Tracking Exposure Conditions with Autonomous Responsive Inks (TECARI)
Current quality monitoring technologies lack the ability to provide real-time quality information for individual products. This project, which receives 1 million euro, focuses on creating smart labels capable of accurately representing product quality. They aim to develop a label that can be integrated directly into individual product packaging, enabling real-time visualization of product quality. This innovation will not only reduce waste but also enhance human well-being. These smart labels will be utilized in supply chains and food packaging, offering significant benefits for both sustainability and human health.
The TECARI consortium brings together the necessary actors to revolutionize quality monitoring of temperature sensitive products.
Albert Schenning
The Eindhoven University of Technology and Zuyd University of Applied Science will partner with Useeble to develop the novel inks. CHILL will support the valorization. Wageningen University & Research will deliver the connection to consumer behavior and knowledge on deterioration processes of fresh food. Domino Printing will bridge the knowledge gap in printing scalability. EIT Food will support the consortium in networking and knowledge sharing. PATH will deliver knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry regarding temperature requirements for products in this sector.
Smart Horticulture: Adapting Daylight Yields (SHADY)
SHADY develops responsive light-control materials for greenhouses, reflecting infrared (IR) light on hot days, and transmitting on cooler days to optimize plant growth, reducing needs for air conditioning. In this project, which receives 1.25 million euro, the researchers address two main applications: thin film laminates for new constrictions, and a water-based sprays for existing structures. The laminates/sprays can optionally contain fluorescent molecules for converting underused green sunlight into red, which is more effectively used by the plant. The materials will be generated from renewable sources, and will last for years, so annual application is not needed, resulting in long-term environmental and economic benefits.
Partners in the SHADY project are Tim Engel and Daan van Rijen of Lumiforte, Stijn Kragt of ClimAd Technology, and Tom Brink of the HAS in Den Bosch.
I am excited about the SHADY project because it is a chance to bring together industry, startups, and both technical and applied science universities, to bring high tech solutions for responsive light control in the horticultural sector.
Michael Debije