Objective The application of modern control science to the optimization of biotechnological processes comes up to against 2 major problems: the difficulty of representing the dynamics of living microorganisms by validated mathematical models; the lack of cheap and reliable instrumentation for online measurement of the biological variables required to implement high performance automatic control strategies.Research was carried out in order to develop an integrated set of algorithms and software tools for automatic monitoring and computer control of biotechnological processes with a view to yield optimization. Based on mathematical models of the plant dynamics the tools use specific instrumentation.The algorithms are based on the most recent advances of nonlinear systems theory, in a way adapted to the specific biological characteristics of bioprocesses.New devices for online monitoring of bioprocesses have been developed involving an automatic sensor for bicarbonate measurement, an in situ sterilizable interface for the online connection of bioreactors to sophisticated analysers and a flow injection analysis system for online glucose measurement.New algorithms for advanced monitoring and control of bioprocesses have been developed for software sensors for online estimation of biological parameters that are not accessible through direct measurements and for robust nonlinear (adaptive) controllers for the stabilization and the optimization of biological variables (substrates and metabolites) in bioreactors. A dedicated workstation named CAMBIO has been designed for interactive computer aided modelling, simulation and experimental design of processes.Validation on pilot and industrial plants have covered a wide range of potential applications involving pharmaceutical and biomedical products, food industries and biological waste treatment. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwareengineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactorsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesnatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model Programme(s) FP1-BAP - Multiannual research action programme (EEC) in the field of biotechnology (BAP), 1985-1989 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator LABORATORIO NACIONAL DE ENGENHARIA E TECNOLOGIA INDUSTRIAL EU contribution No data Address E TECNOLOGIA INDUSTRIAL ESTRADA DO PACO DO LUMIAR 22 1699 LISBOA Portugal See on map Total cost No data
