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

Do bots spread fake news?

Do bots spread fake news?

If bots aren’t responsible for spreading fake news, could automated systems form part of the solution, helping to identify false stories and check their spread? read more

Life after lockdown: COVID-19 response

Life after lockdown: COVID-19 response

Imperial's experts, from a wide range of disciplines, have and continue to keep us informed about COVID-19 and the coronavirus response, save lives through vaccines and testing - and provide solutions to protect the NHS. read more

Imperial’s response to COVID-19

Imperial’s response to COVID-19

Experts across a wide range of disciplines have been and are continuing to to keep government and society informed about COVID-19, save lives through vaccines and testing - and protect precious workforces like the NHS. read more

Related case studies

Shedding light in Madagascar

Shedding light in Madagascar

Our consultants shared their expertise in electronics to help ToughStuff International Ltd. confirm the durability and efficiency of LED circuits used in their solar powered lighting, which is designed to withstand challenging conditions. read more

Design advice on eco-ventilation system for homes

Design advice on eco-ventilation system for homes

Our consultants shared their expertise in sustainable energy system design to help Clean Tech start up ‘Ventive Ltd’ to move into new markets with their PVHR (passive ventilation with heat recovery) system. read more

Informing the debate on Britain’s electricity system

Informing the debate on Britain’s electricity system

The electricity sector is currently undergoing unprecedented changes, including obligations to decarbonise and pressure to keep bills down. With old coal being driven off the system, new nuclear given the go-ahead, prices reaching new highs and lows, and clean energy overtaking fossil fuels for the first time, there is an increasing need for a strong evidence base and robust analysis. read more

Latest news

Britain cleans up act with highest levels of low-carbon electricity

Britain cleans up act with highest levels of low-carbon electricity

50.2% from low-carbon sources in Q3, 2016 reveals report from Imperial researchers and Drax collaboration. read more

Imperial’s experts to help clean-tech startups

Imperial’s experts to help clean-tech startups

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced the launch of Better Futures - an incubator focused on clean-tech startups to be led by Sustainable Bridges and delivered by the GLA, Imperial College London, Imperial Consultants and OPDC (Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation). read more

International Women’s day

International Women’s day

Monday March 8th celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, globally and this year's theme reminds us to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We've asked some Imperial role models how they #ChoosetoChallenge. read more