Fruit shape estimation from stereoscopic images in real time. The research aims at improving the process of automatic fruit inspection and classification.
Existing stereo vision algorithms to extract depth information are unsuitable for real time calculations.
The increasing complexity and reducing cost of field programmable gate arrays along with the development of algorithms that have a high degree of parallelism and locality has created
the possibility of performing the calculation ....Fruit shape estimation from stereoscopic images in real time. The research aims at improving the process of automatic fruit inspection and classification.
Existing stereo vision algorithms to extract depth information are unsuitable for real time calculations.
The increasing complexity and reducing cost of field programmable gate arrays along with the development of algorithms that have a high degree of parallelism and locality has created
the possibility of performing the calculations required in real time.
This projects aims to investigate the suitability of the various stereo vision algorithms available in the literature for real time hardware implementation with application to fruit shape estimation it real time.
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Tomato and vegetable oil synergies for healthier foods. Vegetable and fruit products are recognised for their content of health-promoting phytonutrients. This project will investigate the bioavailability and subsequent in-vivo antioxidant activity of tomatoes and vegetable oils alone or in combination. A second aim will be to isolate particular phytonutrients from tomates and selected vegetable oils, and then to combine them for determination of synergistic interactions affecting antioxidant ac ....Tomato and vegetable oil synergies for healthier foods. Vegetable and fruit products are recognised for their content of health-promoting phytonutrients. This project will investigate the bioavailability and subsequent in-vivo antioxidant activity of tomatoes and vegetable oils alone or in combination. A second aim will be to isolate particular phytonutrients from tomates and selected vegetable oils, and then to combine them for determination of synergistic interactions affecting antioxidant activity. Opportunities for the preparation of new phytonutrient-oil combination foods with increased antioxidant activity and the potential to enhance the health status of consumers will be developed. The research will provide food processors with expertise to develop novel plant-derived ingredients and food products for sale in the internationally growing functional foods market.Read moreRead less
Pacific Labour and Australian Horticulture. This 18-month research project will investigate the costs and benefits of increasing labour mobility between the Pacific and Australia, including the feasibility of a seasonal labour program to employ agricultural workers from Pacific Island nations in the Swan Hill/Mildura region during periods of peak labour demand. It will forge a ground-breaking collaboration between an international development agency and local government to investigate how such a ....Pacific Labour and Australian Horticulture. This 18-month research project will investigate the costs and benefits of increasing labour mobility between the Pacific and Australia, including the feasibility of a seasonal labour program to employ agricultural workers from Pacific Island nations in the Swan Hill/Mildura region during periods of peak labour demand. It will forge a ground-breaking collaboration between an international development agency and local government to investigate how such a scheme might contribute simultaneously to economic and social development in Pacific Island nations (through remittances and skills transfers) and in regional Australia (by improving the labour supply to key horticultural industries).Read moreRead less
Genetic and environmental basis for endosperm hardness in malting barley. Barleys with a hard endosperm do not malt as well as other barleys, leading to under-modified malt. While malts may appear to be satisfactory by bulk chemical analysis, even relatively small amounts of under-modified malt causes problems in the brewing industry, such as slow filtration rates and increasing haze formation. We aim to examine two new procedures potentially useful in determining heterogeneity in barley hardn ....Genetic and environmental basis for endosperm hardness in malting barley. Barleys with a hard endosperm do not malt as well as other barleys, leading to under-modified malt. While malts may appear to be satisfactory by bulk chemical analysis, even relatively small amounts of under-modified malt causes problems in the brewing industry, such as slow filtration rates and increasing haze formation. We aim to examine two new procedures potentially useful in determining heterogeneity in barley hardness by examining single kernels, and investigating the role of barley variety and growing conditions on hardness.This project will aid in the production and selection of more uniform barleys for the malting and brewing industries.Read moreRead less
Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. This project aims to develop healthy new beverages, by studying the effect of chemistry and physical interactions of insoluble dietary fibre with other food ingredients. Insoluble fibre reduces the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. This project will research how insoluble-fibre linked phytochemicals behave in complex matrices and contribute to malodorous flavours; and design adv ....Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. Insoluble-fibre enriched beverages. This project aims to develop healthy new beverages, by studying the effect of chemistry and physical interactions of insoluble dietary fibre with other food ingredients. Insoluble fibre reduces the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. This project will research how insoluble-fibre linked phytochemicals behave in complex matrices and contribute to malodorous flavours; and design advanced experimental protocols to prevent undesirable sensory characteristics in liquid systems.Read moreRead less
A new biophysical approach to understanding self-assembly of dairy proteins in real time in complex systems of industrial importance. The study seeks to understand the molecular basis of self-assembly (aggregation and gelation) of dairy proteins during thermal processing of dairy products. This will involve direct determination, in real time, of the extent, rate and degree of reversibility of the changes that take place. These include changes in the composition, structure and stability of the ca ....A new biophysical approach to understanding self-assembly of dairy proteins in real time in complex systems of industrial importance. The study seeks to understand the molecular basis of self-assembly (aggregation and gelation) of dairy proteins during thermal processing of dairy products. This will involve direct determination, in real time, of the extent, rate and degree of reversibility of the changes that take place. These include changes in the composition, structure and stability of the casein micelles, changes in properties such as pH and pCa and changes such as the denaturation of b-lactoglobulin and its binding to k -casein. The purpose of the study is to provide the scientific base for improving the consistency of manufactured dairy products and for developing new food ingredients with new functionalities thus opening up new opportunities for the dairy industry.Read moreRead less
Incorporation of legume protein in liquid breakfast for a healthy Australia. This project aims to understand and control the properties and interactions of legume protein with other ingredients (e.g. whey protein and dietary fibre) to formulate healthy liquid foods with superior techno-functionality. This research should significantly broaden our understanding of the behaviour of legume protein-phospholipid complexes and their contribution to malodorous flavour development. The expected outcomes ....Incorporation of legume protein in liquid breakfast for a healthy Australia. This project aims to understand and control the properties and interactions of legume protein with other ingredients (e.g. whey protein and dietary fibre) to formulate healthy liquid foods with superior techno-functionality. This research should significantly broaden our understanding of the behaviour of legume protein-phospholipid complexes and their contribution to malodorous flavour development. The expected outcomes are protocols to prevent undesirable sensory characteristics in liquid foods. This should benefit the food industry by improving the sensory attributes of beverages enriched with legume protein, leading to the creation of novel, highly nutritious products with superior sensory attributes and long shelf-life.Read moreRead less
A best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's Fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. In order to assist the Victoria Government to meet the target of increasing Victorian food export to $12 billion by the year 2010, this project sets out to produce a best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. This model will contribute significantly to the improvements of efficiency and effectiveness of Australia's fresh produc ....A best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's Fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. In order to assist the Victoria Government to meet the target of increasing Victorian food export to $12 billion by the year 2010, this project sets out to produce a best practice Supply Chain Model for exporting Australia's fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. This model will contribute significantly to the improvements of efficiency and effectiveness of Australia's fresh produce export supply chain and thus the competitiveness and profitability of Australia's fresh produce export. This will greatly benefit Australia's regional and rural communities generally and Victoria in particular.Read moreRead less
Adding value to waste products from the brewing industry. Adding value to waste products from the brewing industry. This project aims to extract value from spent barley grains, the major by-product of the brewing industry. Currently sold as animal feed, this waste stream is a raw source of valuable carbohydrates and proteins for functional foods, packaging materials and liquid biofuels. This project will combine multidisciplinary approaches to characterise spent grain components and optimise rel ....Adding value to waste products from the brewing industry. Adding value to waste products from the brewing industry. This project aims to extract value from spent barley grains, the major by-product of the brewing industry. Currently sold as animal feed, this waste stream is a raw source of valuable carbohydrates and proteins for functional foods, packaging materials and liquid biofuels. This project will combine multidisciplinary approaches to characterise spent grain components and optimise release of bioactive molecules for use as prebiotics, antioxidants, nutraceuticals, and modifiers of beer quality. The research is expected to generate resources for studying barley grain, intellectual property, patents and new in-line processes for the brewing industry.Read moreRead less
Precision Pollination: Data-driven enhancements to boost crop yield. The project aims to transform industrial crop pollination from an intuitive domain to one where decisions are based on sound data and best-practice principles. It proposes to achieve this modernisation of global pollination practice by developing novel technologies to operate a three-stage loop: honeybee pollination monitoring, simulation-based forecasting, and management. This is intended to ensure that the capability of honey ....Precision Pollination: Data-driven enhancements to boost crop yield. The project aims to transform industrial crop pollination from an intuitive domain to one where decisions are based on sound data and best-practice principles. It proposes to achieve this modernisation of global pollination practice by developing novel technologies to operate a three-stage loop: honeybee pollination monitoring, simulation-based forecasting, and management. This is intended to ensure that the capability of honeybees to provide essential ecosystem services is informed by transferable, standardised data acquisition and management techniques that maintain bee health and maximise pollination. The anticipated outcomes are higher fruit yields and quality, and a beneficial step-change in industry productivity and profitability.Read moreRead less