Our state-of-the-art Pilot Laboratory is the cornerstone of the new Food Science Building. Operating as a model manufacturing area, it allows manufacturers to see how a process works before committing to full production.

Wet chemistry, microbiology, food product development and process automation laboratories are also available to solve related challenges. 

Our pilot plant facility is currently integrated with Ethernet for local area network access and data transfer to remote locations, Allen-Bradley/ Rockwell Automation DataHighway+ protocol to implement automation projects using the Programmable Logic Controller, and Foundation Fieldbus connected to the Emerson Delta V system to implement advanced control applications and communicate with smart field devices located in the pilot plant.

Annually, over 750 future food scientists and engineers are exposed to all phases of the Pilot Laboratory and its capabilities. Many undergraduate and graduate level class demonstrations as well as laboratory activities are exposed to all phases of the Pilot Laboratory and its capabilities.

Many undergraduate and graduate level class demonstrations as well as laboratory activities are taught right in the pilot plant.

Facility is also utilized by CIFM and food science graduate students whose project are directly related to food processing and food process automation.

Growth continues to be strong as the Pilot Lab hosts more than 50 companies annually, testing new processes and equipment to improve their manufacturing.
 
Our pilot plant capabilities include:
 
 Aseptic and thermal processing and packaging,
 Equipment design and development,
 Automated quality control and recipe management,
 Process design,
 In-line Physical/Chemical sensor evaluation,
 Controlled/modified atmosphere, active and aseptic   Active and aseptic packaging
 Shelf-life studies and sensory evaluation,
 Process control and equipment integration.