The QCAP partners successfully cooperated in the completion of three sensor prototypes for monitoring fruit and potatoes in storage areas. The monitoring systems have been tested in both laboratory and industrial environments in Jork, Cranfield, and Leuven; demonstrating the high potential of QCAP in monitoring fruit emitted volatile species. Read More
As a QCAP associate partner, the Fresh Produce Centre bridges the gap between research and practice. Daco Sol, Programme Manager for Logistics, Supervision & Supply Chain, explains exactly what this role entails and what steps he believes are still needed for a successful market launch of the monitoring system. We also ask him about his vision as a potato grower – would he buy the QCAP system for his harvest? Read More
QCAP partners Storex, NKT and Radboud University join forces with Senseair in a new ‘Fast Track to Innovation’ project called MAX-FRESH. The monitoring system meets all requirements for an FTI programme: it is beyond state-of-the-art innovation with considerable socio-economic value and a strong business case. That is why the new project have been granted 2.2 million euros by the European Commission to prepare the QCAP monitoring system for market launch. Read More
“I’m a trained food technologist. During my PhD research, I investigated how cooking processes change the texture of vegetables and how these physico-chemical processes can be rendered as mathematical models. At VCBT, I apply that modelling work to how we preserve fresh fruit and vegetables. My aim is to increase our knowledge of how quality changes and to establish under what storage conditions we can maintain this quality for as long as possible.” Read More
Eager to speak to end users of their detector, QCAP researchers presented their work at a stand at Fruit Logistica – the leading trade fair for the global fresh produce market. Read More
QCAP unites seven partners and five associate partners around one goal: to create a monitoring system for fruit and vegetables in storage areas. The success of this project depends on effective teamwork. As the project leader, associate professor Dr Frans Harren (Radboud University, Nijmegen) is tasked with monitoring the progress of the project, working in close consultation with the partners to ensure the project objectives are achieved. He shares some details about his work. Read More
The QCAP partners will present the latest research results and the potential of innovative interactive storage technology for the international postharvest community at the next XIIIth International Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Research Conference (CAMA). Unfortunately it is not yet clear when this meeting will take place, due to the Corona crisis. Read More
The first prototype safely arrived at Cranfield University end 2019. After a small problem trying to fit it into the elevator (Picture 1), “Team Cranfield” is now doing some trials to verify the results obtained during the project. Read More
I specialise in fruit quality and fruit storage, which essentially involves everything related to the quality of fruit on the tree and after harvest. This also includes fertilisation, irrigation and drainage, harvest date forecasts and – of course – storage and post-storage of fruit. Read More
On Thursday 28 March, VCBT together with MeBioS and KU Leuven held a study evening on the topic of storage innovations. In particular, they paid attention to the desired results of the QCAP project and which possibilities may open up to farmers as a result of the new sensor technology. The event was held in Sint-Truiden, Belgium. Attendees included fruit growers and grower organisations that represented installers of storage technology. Read More