Food Development and Security

Connecting you with cutting edge expertise in food development, production and security.

Imperial Consultants (ICON) have delivered numerous projects for public and private sector clients, international organisations and regulatory bodies. Projects can be delivered by individual specialists, topic related departments within Imperial or by multi-disciplinary groups.

Our breadth of services and solutions include…

 

Security and management

  • Computer modelling of crop production and the climate, based on fundamental science and informed by observations.
  • Computer models of crop diseases and pests, such as the Fusarium Ear Blight which impacts staple crops (wheat, maize and rice), in conjunction with climate models for specific regions to estimate changes in risk.
  • Natural resource management (for example fisheries), environmental risk management and international development.
  • Application equipment for pesticides for Vector Control.

 

Structure and sensory insights

  • Material modelling and mechanical characterisation of soft polymeric solids in foods to understand how changes in food structure impact the sensory experience.

 

Manufacturing and packaging

  • Numerical modelling of industrial food processes such as rolling, extrusion and cutting.
  • Predicting the behaviour of 3D printed materials.
  • Smart design tools for additive manufacturing.
  • Food technology and production.
  • Production and analysis of sustainable, low CO2 impact, recyclable materials to transform food packaging.

 

Nutrition

  • The role of dietary carbohydrates on appetite regulation, insulin resistances, lipid metabolism, body composition and appetite regulation.
  • The role of nutrients in the secretion of appetite regulating peptides and the basic nutritional physiology involved in energy balance.
  • Undertaking clinical trials to reduce the risk of malnutrition in the elderly and hospitalised.

 

Health

  • The cellular microbiology of pathogens such as E. coli, Legionella, Salmonella.
  • Measuring the impact of drinking water salinity on population health.
  • Controlling salinity in drinking water sources in response to impacts of climate change.
  • Disinfection of opportunistic pathogens found in tap water plus plant-derived biocides as potential alternative disinfectants.
  • Measuring occurrence of and controlling antibiotic-resistant pathogens in drinking water.

Advisory services

Product design, research methods, data analysis, technology evaluation for investment, technological innovation, patent evaluation, prototype and protocol development, policy, cyber security and more. Assisting museums, writers, film makers and artists to ensure creations scientifically sound.

Expert insight

Membership of Scientific Advisory Boards and Technical Panels, advice and guidance on drug development programmes, thought leadership, conference speakers, literature reviews and provision of foresight.

Analysis and testing

Use of the world-class specialist facilities and technicians at Imperial for projects ranging from aerodynamic measurements and medical imaging to structural testing and analysis.

Our consultants are world-leading experts in their field, committed to on-going research.

Related Insights

Life after lockdown: Energy

Life after lockdown: Energy

Build a more resilient, more sustainable and greener future, whether you’re part of the energy sector, a policy-maker or looking to cut your energy costs to make your business more efficient. read more

Life after lockdown: Business as unusual

Life after lockdown: Business as unusual

How can you adapt to the 'new normal' without access to facilities, a full workforce or face to face meetings – and with consumers shifting spending even further online? How can you flourish? read more

Transition to zero pollution

Transition to zero pollution

Building a future that is free from human-made pollution will require a complete realignment of almost all aspects of modern industry – coupled with scientists, engineers and economists collaborating on a scale not seen before. read more

Related case studies

Freshwater control system

Freshwater control system

Expertise in hydrological modelling helped PyTerra demonstrate the potential of new smart technology to reduce downstream flooding. read more

Building a low carbon economy with ICT

Building a low carbon economy with ICT

Our consultants shared their expertise in economics to help Microsoft explore how ICT can play an enabling role in low carbon economies to reduce CO2 emissions. read more

What hinders and helps SMEs decarbonise?

What hinders and helps SMEs decarbonise?

Global industrial technology leader Schneider Electric asked Imperial experts to explore the barriers to decarbonisation for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK – and make recommendations to help overcome them. read more

Latest news

Groundbreaking analysis reveals a fully flexible energy system could cut the cost of reaching net zero by up to £16.7bn a year in 2050

Groundbreaking analysis reveals a fully flexible energy system could cut the cost of reaching net zero by up to £16.7bn a year in 2050

Analysis led by the Carbon Trust and Prof Strbac and supported by Bryt Energy, EDF, Greater London Authority, IGEM, Kiwi Power, Low Carbon Contracts Company, SBM Offshore, SP Energy Networks, Statera Energy, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), UK Power Networks and Western Power Distribution. read more

Tackling London’s air pollution will increase life expectancy of children

Tackling London’s air pollution will increase life expectancy of children

Report by researchers from Environmental Research Group predicts London air quality policies, and wider improvements in air quality, will increase average life expectancy of a child born in London in 2013 by six months. read more

Imperial Tech Foresight event

Imperial Tech Foresight event

Intentional Creations virtual conference – Malleable Matter, on Thursday 25 June 2020 – looks at the limitations, or opportunities, of the materials underpinning the technology itself. read more