Objective
VISUM is an IR spectroscopy cloud-enabled platform for the rapid, easy integration and customisation of real-time monitoring systems for improved process control, product quality and safety in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Building from the successful feasibility study outputted from a Phase 1 SME Instrument project, we are applying for Phase 2 funding to accelerate the development for a market launch in 2019.
NIR is a non-destructive, reliable and accurate technique for monitoring the chemical and physical parameters during food and pharmaceutical processing, being widely accepted as one of the most promising on/in-line process control techniques. The availability of fibre optic probes significantly improves the ability of NIR techniques to monitor and control processes especially using remote on/in line detection. However, a number of gaps prevent the mainstreaming of NIR in industry: 1) typical NIR lab analysers are expensive; 2) they often require time-consuming, costly and complex predictive models development and their further recalibration; 3) generic systems do not properly fit to each particular production line or monitoring challenge and these mismatches are the source of major errors; 4) on-line NIR optical interfaces are prone to fouling/contamination, a major limitation for accurate measurements and leading to high maintenance requirements. There is also a missed opportunity in the effective management and use of the data.
VISUM platform provides the necessary flexible hardware, software and cloud computing infrastructure for mainstreaming the adoption of NIR-based systems in the EU and global food and pharma industries to enable the rapid, easy, and cost-effective integration in processing environments even by non-specialised engineers. VISUM offers an affordable and accessible enabler for improved product quality and safety, as well as enhanced process understanding and control for a first tier Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tool.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.4. - Sustainable and competitive bio-based industries and supporting the development of a European bioeconomy
- H2020-EU.3.2.1. - Sustainable agriculture and forestry
- H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument
- H2020-EU.3.2.2. - Sustainable and competitive agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet
Funding Scheme
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinator
V31 Listowel
Ireland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.