Lambton College is expanding its food and beverage research capabilities with the purchase of new equipment after the school recently received $200,000 in grant funding.
The post-secondary institution said the funding will allow it to acquire key pieces of research equipment, including a bomb calorimeter, a moisture analyzer, an autosampler for Alcolyzer, a refractometer, a fast protein liquid chromatography system, and additional food analysis tools.
“Our new suite of analytical equipment will significantly improve the depth and precision of our food and beverage research,” said Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation Dr. Mehdi Sheikhzadeh. “This investment not only strengthens our partnerships with industry but also provides valuable experiential learning opportunities for students in applied research.”
Since 2012, Lambton College has led over 60 collaborative applied research projects with small and medium-sized enterprises to address challenges and support quality assurance, compliance, and product innovation.
"The addition of new equipment will enable more efficient product development, strengthen industry competitiveness, and help companies meet changing standards in a cost-effective and sustainable way," read a media release.
The school said the need for research and development within the industry is critical as the sector undergoes transformations driven by sustainability goals and evolving consumer demands.
The grant funding was received through the Applied Research Tools and Instruments program, under the College and Community Innovation initiative, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.