OIL&SUGAR · Training and collaboration on material developments and process improvements in oil and sugar production

The problems encountered in the industrial processing of oil and sugar are connected with corrosion, biochemical and/or biological reactions, friction, wear, and combined corrosion-wear of materials used in mechanical parts. The main concerns are on one hand a material degradation that generates risks of contamination during food production, and on the other hand the actual machinery that needs to be improved from a technological and an economical point of view.This project aims to intensify research and training activities in the fields of science and technology of main importance in oil and sugar production, and to contribute by a multidisciplinary approach to overcome the limits of existing production technologies. Partners intend to contribute to find solutions to these complex problems by carrying out research projects through networking activities, by organizing the training of young researchers, and by transferring among them advanced technology- and material-related knowledge.The activities proposed are aimed at investigating:- the mechanisms of material degradation with a peculiar attention on the specific biological surroundings encountered in oil and sugar processing,- the recent developments in metallic materials and coating technologies as to optimize the characteristics of materials and to increase process efficiency in oil and sugar production,- new processing technologies and research methodologies made available by partners.The complementary of the partners’ backgrounds is a guarantee to generate new scientific and technological insights as an attraction pole of young researchers for material and process developments in oil and sugar production. Modern methods of surface modification of materials, new extraction technology, novel biocompatible materials, and advanced ex- and/or in-situ characterization methods of material surfaces are the core of this project.