A fruitful partnership
For U.S. farmers, enormous GPS-guided equipment makes easier work of planting and harvesting thousands of acres each season. Now, thanks to a partnership between UIUC’s Center for Digital Agriculture, a collaboration among the College of ACES, Grainger College of Engineering and NCSA, and robotics start-up EarthSense, some of the work is being assigned to machines of a much smaller scale.
What is contextual engineering? New book explores technology and culture
URBANA, Ill. – Ann-Perry Witmer wrote the book on contextual engineering. Literally.
IBRL grows to meet increasing demand from bioprocessing industry
URBANA, Ill. – Four years in, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) continues to grow rapidly by providing world-class pilot plant services to the food and bioprocessing industries. Since IBRL’s October 2018 grand opening ceremony, 60 clients have completed over 400 projects, including several who have now successfully launched products to market. An additional $6.5 million in state funds for equipment and expansion of IBRL staff has enabled these client projects and successes.
5 Questions: ACES alum finds motivation in helping students navigate college
This week’s 5 Questions Friday features Travis Johnson, TSM alum and current academic advisor and instructor for ETMAS and TSM in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
What motivates you in your work?
IBRL offers hands-on fermentation short course to industry
URBANA, Ill. – Fermentation is a crucial manufacturing step for many industries, including food, feed, cosmetics, and fuel. The fermentation process converts agricultural feedstocks to valuable materials with the use of microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. It provides ingredients for products ranging from meat and dairy substitutes to cosmetics made without animal proteins.
5 Questions: TSM student finds support and inspiration in ACES
This week’s 5 Questions Friday features Kaitlyne Diaz, graduate student in Technical Systems Management
Where did you grow up? Do you have an agriculture background? If so, please describe
I was born in Chicago, and grew up in Streamwood, Illinois, for about 10 years until my family and I moved back to Chicago where I went through middle and high school. I currently still live in Chicago when I’m not in Champaign.
Three faculty honored with endowments in ABE and Grainger
URBANA, Ill. – The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) and The Grainger College of Engineering honored three faculty with endowed positions during an investiture ceremony at the University of Illinois on March 31.
Apple chips moisture analysis made easy with near-infrared spectroscopy
URBANA, Ill. – Dried snack foods such as apple chips are a convenient alternative to fresh fruit, providing longer shelf life and easier storage. Consumers increasingly demand product variety, so companies coat such snack foods with fruit and vegetable powders to enhance taste and sensory appeal.
$25M tech grant lets Illinois researchers ‘talk’ to plants
URBANA, Ill. – The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced today an investment of $25 million to launch the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS). The center, a partnership among the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Cornell University, the Boyce Thompson Institute, and the University of Arizona, aims to develop tools to listen and talk to plants and their associated organisms.
Jamison Watson, ABE doctoral student, receives Schmidt Science Fellowship
URBANA, Ill. – Jamison Watson, doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) at the University of Illinois, received a Schmidt Science Fellowship. He is one of 28 awardees in the 2021 cohort of fellows, representing 13 nationalities and multiple research fields.