Driving innovation in next-generation technology for food and general manufacturing industries
Research Areas
Advanced Imaging and Sensor Technologies: Researchers design systems for grading and inspection using stereo 3D, time-of-flight, visible, IR, and UV imaging modalities.
Contact Doug Britton - doug.britton@gtri.gatech.edu
The Citrus Inspection and Grading System uses multiple imaging sensors to identify blemishes, defects, and color inconsistencies at a throughput of 600 fruit per minute.
The Inspection and Control System for High-Volume Baking Processes uses imaging and sensing systems to continuously monitor and control product quality on a commercial bread/bun line and to regulate large-scale industrial ovens.
The Automated Vision-Based Inspection of High-Volume Baking Processes uses an imaging system to inspect the bottom color and characteristics of baked buns for automated feedback to an oven control system.
The Systemic Screening System uses an innovative computer imaging platform to automatically detect product quality defects on high-speed poultry processing lines at a throughput of 200 birds per minute.
Cone Line Bone Detection System: Initial tests of cutting techniques using a prototype intelligent deboning system demonstrated the systems's ability to recognize bone during a cut and modify its path to avoid bone chips. The goal is to have an automated system that allows for cutting very close to the bone without generating and bone chips – all at line speeds. Plans call for refinement of the prototype to allow for more integrated control testing inclusing the use of 3D imaging technology. The 3D imaging is critical to the placement of the blade to start the cut.
PI: Wayne Daley, 404-407-8828, wayne.daley@gtri.gatech.edu
Grow-out House Monitoring: Initial tests of cutting techniques using a prototype intelligent deboning system demonstrated the systems's ability to recognize bone during a cut and modify its path to avoid bone chips. The goal is to have an automated system that allows for cutting very close to the bone without generating and bone chips – all at line speeds. Plans call for refinement of the prototype to allow for more integrated control testing inclusing the use of 3D imaging technology. The 3D imaging is critical to the placement of the blade to start the cut.
PI: Wayne Daley, 404-407-8828, wayne.daley@gtri.gatech.edu
Robotics and Automation Systems: Researchers design flexible computing and robotic systems to handle a wide variety of natural product.
Contact Gary McMurray-gary.mcmurray@gtri.gatech.edu
Intelligent Cutting and Deboning System: Initial tests of cutting techniques using a prototype intelligent deboning system demonstrated the systems's ability to recognize bone during a cut and modify its path to avoid bone chips. The goal is to have an automated system that allows for cutting very close to the bone without generating and bone chips – all at line speeds. Plans call for refinement of the prototype to allow for more integrated control testing inclusing the use of 3D imaging technology. The 3D imaging is critical to the placement of the blade to start the cut.
PI: Gary McMurray, 404-407-8844, gary.mcmurray@gtri.gatech.edu
Intelligent Cooking and Freezing System: Research is focused on establishing a framework for testing an intelligent cooking and freezing system to monitor the thermal mass flow moving into a cooking and freezing process. IR and height profiling cameras were integrated into the system, and computer algorithms were developed to identify individual products on a crowded conveyor. Ideally, the system should be able to identify individual products and detect arrangement issues such as overlapping product. Thermal heat and mass transfer models along with the current oven cook profile will then be used to setimate final cook temperature of the product flow by volume.
PI: John Stewart, 404-407-8834, john.stewart@gtri.gatech.edu
The Automated Case Packing System packs up to 60 retail poultry trays per minute into shipping cartons.
The Automatic Tray Packing System places raw product into trays at speeds and performance levels needed to meet current processing throughput requirements. The system is uniquely designed to withstand highpressure washdown.
Equipment Wash-down Design Analysis: Researchers supported the extended field testing of the Washdown Robot to verify its ability to withstand daily caustic and high-pressure cleanup, operate over extended hours, and accurately place raw product into trays.
PI: Jonathan Holmes, 404-407-8844, jonathan.holmes@gtri.gatech.edu
Environmental and Biological Systems: Research focuses on advanced UV disinfection technologies, biofuels production, and water conservation and wastewater treatment operations.
Contact John Pierson - john.pierson@gtri.gatech.edu
The Advanced UV Disinfection System uses ultraviolet light and Taylor-Couette mixing to penetrate non-clear liquids to eliminate pathogens in recycled waters, marinades, and juices.
Biofuels Research focuses on developing new processes designed to enhance the conversion of low-quality waste oils and grease to high-grade fuels.
Novel Separation Techniques: Researchers adapted current industrial refining processes used for oils and fats to improve the separation of feedstock fractions from brown grease and stabilized poultry fat. Concurrently, the research team developed several approaches for process temperature control in high shear-mixers and higher volumetric flow rates in the Georgia Tech advanced mixing system (i.e., Taylor vortex). The research is part of overall ATRP efforts focused on developing technologies to address poultry processing environmental challenges.
PI: John Pierson, 404-407-8839, john.pierson@gtri.gatech.edu
Food and Product Safety Research: Research focuses on technologies to improve control processes for product safety and quality.
Contact Doug Britton-doug.britton@gtri.gatech.edu
Chiller Water Disinfection Management Studies: This study seeks to develop consistent chiller management strategies that enhance safety, quality, and yield. Initial investigations have focused on better understanding the dynamics of chillers with the goal of defining and improving best management practices for controlling pathogens using cost-effective intervention steps. Researchers are also considering the advantage of new and existing processing technologies and on-line sensors in developing intelligent chillers.
PI: Aklilu Giorges, 404-407-8837, aklilu.giorges@gtri.gatech.edu
Foreign Object Detection Technology Studies: The feasibility of using ultrasonic holography for on-line screening of foreign objects in meat products is being investigated. Holographic ultrasound is an extension of ultrasoinc imaging that allows the extraction of 3D information, which provides a more accurate description of the products being conveyed in the product stream, thus allowing for better detection of foreign material. Tests showed the technology was successful at discriminating between plastic and bone fragments embedded in a breast fillet. However, these early tests also revealed noticeable sensor noise, thus suggesting that the technology, while promising, needs further development.
PI: Wayne Daley, 404-407-8828, wayne.daley@gtri.gatech.edu
Worker Safety Research
Contact Doug Britton-doug.britton@gtri.gatech.edu
Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Assessment System: Researchers, in conjunction with the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, have developed an Ergonomic Work Assessment System (EWAS) designed to help the poultry industry reduce muskuloskeletal injuries associated with the wrist. EWAS measures posture, grip force, and muscle exertion of a worker while cutting tasks are performed on a poultry deboning line. A large-scale study is planned involving participants from several plants with varying levels of experience and expertise. This study tested the capabilities of the system and began to lay the foundation for the development of new employee training programs and improved worker rotation schemes. The impact of fatigue on a worker's posture and exertion and the effect on overall yield is also being investigated.
PI: Doug Britton, 404-407-8829, doug.britton@gtri.gatech.edu
GENERAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
Energy and Fuel Cell Research
Contact Tom Fuller - tom.fuller@gtri.gatech.edu;
Comas Haynes - comas.haynes@gtri.gatech.edu
Improving Fuel Cell Durability: Researchers in the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s (GTRI) Center for Innovative Fuel Cell and Battery Technologies believe that understanding how and why fuel cells fail is the key to both reducing cost and improving durability.
PI: Tom Fuller,
tom.fuller@gtri.gatech.edu
Waste Heat Recovery for Energy Efficient Poultry Processing: Research focuses on innovative methods for improved waste heat recovery and utilization. Many industrial processing sectors including poultry processing and other food facilities generate an abundance of thermal energy as “waste” heat that, if recouped, will improve process efficiencies, reducing utilities expenses and emissions. Thermally-driven absorbent heat pump technology improvement is one opportunity area researchers are evaluating given the possibility of deriving tri-generation (e.g., power, heat, and cooling).
PI: Comas Haynes, 404-407-7578, comas.haynes@gtri.gatech.edu
Air Quality Research
Contact Mikhail Fogelson - mikhail.fogelson@gtri.gatech.edu