Sprint Challenge Brief:

Innovations for In-line Sensor Technology

Submissions Closed

BACKGROUND

In the food industry, consistent quality and safety depends on the ability of a manufacturer to have detailed insights into their products. Currently, these quality control checks require stopping the production line and the destructive testing of products. Unsurprisingly, food manufacturers are interested in identifying solutions which would allow for automatic, rapid, and non-destructive testing for a variety of testing parameters.

TechConnect's client, an international food and beverage corporation with billions in annual revenue, seeks innovations in sensor technology that can deliver in-line measurements of:

  • Water activity in cookies and crackers
  • Bulk salt in cookies and crackers

Currently, samples are taken from the production line and subjected to destructive testing which takes 10-15 minutes to complete. The ideal solution will:

  • Not require halting the production line
  • Be non-contact
  • Be complete in 5 minutes or less
  • Non-destructively provide data to production staff
  • Provide data from multiple target samples

Destructive testing that can be completed within the designated timeframe of 5 minutes is potentially of interest. Additionally, robotic solutions that can automate the testing process may also be of interest to the client.

The goal of this sprint is to facilitate contact and interactions between the Sprint sponsor and commercial entities (including Start-ups) or technology developers or research organization/university in this space. Submissions from all viable subject matter experts are of interest including those from academia and commercial entities.

Submission requirements:

Solvers submitting an Entry are encouraged to highlight capabilities in their Submission that meet criteria including:

  • Description of proposed approach such as:
    • In-line sensor
    • Robotic technology for automated near-line testing
  • Performance estimates:
    • Scan time
    • Accuracy
    • Precision
  • Suitable type(s) of foods
  • Timeline:
    • Development
    • Deployment
  • Technical maturity (TRL Level)

Business Opportunity for Solvers

All complete and eligible Entries will be included in an exclusive Innovation Opportunity Report that will be presented to our client. Solvers with well-matched capabilities may be contacted directly by either TechConnect Ventures or the client to discuss potential partnership opportunities, including – but not limited to – demonstrations, consulting, contract research, licensing, and more. Top-rated Entries may also be invited to register or participate in an upcoming TechConnect Ventures event or pitch program.

Participation Rules & Guidelines

Solvers are encouraged to review the Rules and Guidelines provided on the Sprint page for details about participation, including submission criteria, eligibility information, and more.

Download Challenge Brief

QUESTIONS? Contact challenge@techconnectventures.com