Enhancing Atmospheric Freeze Drying with ultrasound technologyThis research project explores the application of direct ultrasound in Atmospheric Freeze Drying (AFD) to enhance water diffusivity and reduce drying time. By integrating ultrasound technology into the AFD process, the aim is to accelerate moisture migration and improve overall drying efficiency. The project involves both computational modelling and the design and fabrication of a prototype ultrasound-assisted AFD system. The system's performance will be evaluated by analysing the drying kinetics and conducting physical and chemical characterisation of model foods.
Transforming capsicum and chilli waste into high-value health productsThis project explores value-adding opportunities by repurposing crop waste from capsicum and chilli production. Specifically, it investigates the extraction of capsaicinoids from low-grade fruit and plant waste. By harnessing these compounds, the project supports the development of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. In parallel, it aims to repurpose the leftover biomass post-extraction as a soil improver, contributing to circular practices in crop production.
Biologically informed blight controlThe project aims to test and pilot fast detection procedures with the aim of giving growers a suite of options to test for the presence of the pathogen prior to disease being evident. The project also aims to test a range of commercially available control measures and create management recommendations. Finally, the project will investigate novel means of controlling the pathogen through targeted repression of key disease developmental pathways (i.e. non-GMO repression of effector proteins) and manipulation of the plant’s natural resistance pathways. Outcomes of the project will support sustainable production of this valuable crop for our industry partners, and open new pathways of investigation that will enable breakthroughs in pathogen control that could be cross-applicable to other important cucurbit diseases in the larger vegetable production sector.
Improving warm-zone raspberry cultivationThis project aims to investigate how environmental factors affect key reproductive processes in raspberries, including pollen viability, pollen tube development, and stigma receptivity. By identifying the physiological thresholds that influence pollination success, the research will clarify the mechanisms behind reduced fruit quality under protective cropping conditions.
Tomato wilt managementThe project aims to explore rhizosphere microbiome engineering to manage Fusarium wilt of tomatoes, and to evaluate changes in the rhizosphere microbiome in response to application of bio-organic products. Firstly, the rhizosphere microbial community associated with healthy and fol-infected tomatoes in Western Australia will be assessed. This will identify core microbial taxa critical to plant health and to provide insights into managing the Fusarium wilt disease by modifying the core taxa. Field trials on the long-term contribution of three commercial bio-organic products will be conducted to assess their impact on tomato crop performance, yield, and the rhizosphere microbiome. The rhizosphere soils from the field trial sites will be used as ‘donor material’ for the microbiome engineering experiment.
Exploring freight demand and network accessibility in the Namoi regionThe project generated valuable, data-driven insights that support more targeted infrastructure planning and policy development. By visualising localised freight demands and mapping accessibility against existing heavy vehicle network routes, the project revealed where critical gaps exist in the current system. This understanding will empower local and state authorities to make informed decisions about upgrading roads, improving access, and addressing key connectivity challenges. Ultimately, it will help streamline agricultural freight movements and bolster the efficiency of supply chains across the Namoi region.
Consumer drivers for fresh produce purchasingBy tracking online food personal preferences and drafting a hierarchy of drivers for purchasing produce (affordability, access, source), NSW farmers can gain invaluable insights into consumer behaviour, allowing them to align their production and marketing strategies accordingly. This approach goes beyond mere guesswork and assumptions, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions and stay ahead of evolving consumer trends. Furthermore, this allows the application of previously established research to be micro-targeted.
Economic modelling to guide optimal packaging solutionsThe objective of this project is to develop two economic discrete choice models to determine the economic viability of optimal packaging options and in so doing support researchers in core experiment activiites by providing guidance and direction.
Dynamic life cycle sustainability assessment of thermoform packagingThis project seeks to develop a rigorous methodology for assessing and quantifying the life cycle environmental impacts of future thermoforming packaging technologies. The approach is designed to be comparative, allowing direct evaluation of new solutions against existing standards.
Developing transparent eco-friendly food packagingThis project seeks to develop a novel manufacturing process for transparent food packaging that replaces petrochemical inputs with sustainable alternatives derived from CO₂ containing waste streams. Specifically, CO₂ generated through the gasification of agri-food waste or waste plastics will be combined with water and sunlight to produce monomers, the foundational units of polymers. These sustainable monomers will then be used to formulate plastics suitable for thermoforming into transparent packaging materials. The process not only reduces reliance on fossil resources but also creates value from carbon emissions and waste.
Smart packaging with colorimetric sensors for real-time food quality monitoringThis project focuses on developing low-cost, user-friendly calorimetric sensor indicators integrated into packaging materials. These sensors respond to gases released during food spoilage by changing colour, providing a clear and intuitive signal of produce freshness in real time. Unlike existing temperature-based indicators, this approach directly reflects the biochemical changes associated with spoilage, offering greater specificity and reliability. In addition to fresh produce, the platform will be extended to monitor beverages, where the sensors will interact with liquid samples rather than gases, broadening their applicability.
Advancing PET recycling for sustainable packaging applicationsThis project offers a transformative approach to PET recycling using a novel proprietary technology developed at UNSW by Dr. Agarwal and Prof. Zetterlund. The method converts both waste and virgin PET into an aqueous dispersion of submicron-sized nanoparticles without subjecting the material to high temperatures or shear forces, which are common causes of degradation. These PET nanoparticle dispersions can be mixed easily and uniformly, enabling high-quality blends of recycled and virgin PET. The resulting material can be processed into pellets or other bulk forms suitable for packaging applications.
Thermoforming innovations in food packagingA novel approach has been developed whereby polymer foam can be produced from various sustainable vinyl monomers sourced from plant-based biomass as opposed to the fossil-based monomer styrene which is used in Styrofoam production. By designing polymer structures from renewable monomers, the project introduces an alternative pathway for material synthesis that reduces reliance on petrochemical feedstocks.
Nano sensor technologyThis project focuses on developing a nano sensor manufacturing technology that enables real-time monitoring of food and packaging quality. By directly depositing nano sensors onto polymeric packaging materials, the approach simplifies the production process while enhancing functionality. The data generated from this sensor platform will provide critical insights into food quality and safety, and will be used to inform a discrete choice econometric model to understand consumer preferences and support market adoption.
Optimising CO2 in protected cropping systemsThis project aims to determine the optimal CO₂ concentrations for tomato production in controlled environments. Through systematic trials and monitoring, the research will define CO₂ thresholds that maximise yield and quality while minimising unnecessary input use and environmental impact.
Modelling Australian agrifood supply chainsThis research aims to address Freight transport system limitations by applying a hybrid modelling approach that integrates both aggregate and disaggregate methods to analyse international and interregional freight flows. Specifically, it will combine macro-level freight generation and trip distribution models with behavioural freight modelling that captures firm-level decision-making. This dual-layered framework will allow for a more accurate and detailed understanding of the economic, logistical, and spatial factors influencing freight transport choices across various commodities and geographies.
Automated crop monitoringThis project will provide the foundation research to support Australia’s protected cropping sector in transitioning to advanced high-tech decision support systems through developing and testing novel solutions for an array of real-world applications.
Applying Volumetric Urbanism for smarter urban floor space usage strategiesUrban planning has extended its vision from horizontal to vertical to volumetric. This complex social and economic environment implicates 3D floor use change. We aim to establish an analytical model framework applying the principles of Volumetric Urbanism to assist the development of smart and sustainable urban floor space mixed use strategy.
Novel crop microbiome technologiesThis project aims to develop new microbiome-based products by analysing the microbial communities associated with crops throughout their lifecycle from seed to harvest. By understanding how microbiomes shift under different stress conditions, the research will identify microorganism combinations linked to increased stress tolerance and improved plant performance. These beneficial microbiomes will then be formulated into commercial products designed to enhance crop yield and profitability.
Methane reduction in ruminantsAgrisma is developing a proof-of-concept for a novel encapsulation technology for feed additives and its application in the reduction of methane production in ruminants. The project will look to create nanoparticles, investigate the stability, and efficiency of the encapsulation and monitor the properties of the long-term delivery system of our active ingredients in ruminants.
