Objective VISUM is applying to NMP 25 – 2014/2015: Accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies, advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs, to develop and take to market by 2017 an IR-spectroscopy-based platform for the rapid, easy integration and customisation of real-time monitoring systems for the food and pharmaceutical industries for improved process control, product quality and safety.NIR is a non-destructive, reliable and accurate technique for monitoring chemical and physical parameters during food and pharmaceutical processing. At present, NIR is widely accepted as one of the most promising on/in-line process control techniques. Moreover, the appearance of fiberoptic probes significantly improves the ability of NIR techniques to monitor and control processes especially using remote on/in line detection. However, there are currently gaps preventing the mainstreaming of NIR in the 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 product line or monitoring challenge and these mismatches are the source of major errors; 4) on-line NIR optical interfaces are prone to biofouling and contamination which is a major limitation for accurate measurements and leads to high maintenance requirements. The VISUM platform is designed to overcome each of these limitations and thereby contribute to the mainstreaming of NIR-based technology in the European and global food and pharmaceutical industries as an enabler for improved product quality and safety, as well as improved process understanding and control for a first tier Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tool. The VISUM platform will developing the necessary flexible hardware and software to allow for a rapid, easy, and cost-effective integration that can be performed by non-specialised engineers. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedairyengineering and technologynanotechnologyengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.1.2. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Nanotechnologies Main Programme H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument Topic(s) NMP-25-2015-1 - Accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies, advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs Call for proposal H2020-SMEInst-2014-2015 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEINST-1-2015 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator VISUM LIMITED Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address COOLKERAGH LOWER V31 Listowel Ireland See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Ireland Southern South-West Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 71 429,00