FAQ's for Potential WSU Microwave Sterilization Members:

Question:
What are the benefits for the members in the consortium?

Answer:
1. You will gain insight on the information about the technology as it develops.

2. Use pilot-scale system at WSU for process and product development, and gain access to other related facilities.

3. Steer the project in a direction that will benefit your company.

4. Interact with experts from WSU, NFPA, packaging, MW equipment, and other companies on the same technology.

5. Five years free license to the patents generated from the consortium work, or have the ability to apply for joint patents.

All above will give your company a major advantage over the companies outside of the consortium when the new technology is commercialized.

Question:
How do we operate?

Answer:
Most of the research and development activities take place at WSU, however, separate teams were formed with representatives from industrial partners to work on specific issues such as process engineering and instrumentation, process validation, FDA approval, industrial design and scale-up, food product quality and packaging. Industrial partners can chose to become active in one or more of those teams. We normally meet every three months to exchange ideas and review our progression. This web site allows members to access confidential information shared among the consortium members. Industrial members and WSU team are open in sharing all information related to MW technologies and what we learn from our new systems.

Question:
Where are we now?

Answer:
We have developed a pilot-scale system guided by computer simulation and several rounds of mock-up testing over a two year period. The process for single meals take about 10-12 min (including 2-4 min heating - depending upon products, 4 min holding and 3-4 min cooling). We have helped companies to test their products, and shipped processed products to the US Army Natick Soldier Center for further evaluation of food quality parameters. Their recent sensory tests show that our products are much superior to retort products. We are about a half of a year away from designing an industrial system based on the engineering data collected from our pilot-scale unit.

Question:
What will be the cost to become a new consortium member?

Answer:
A new member needs to make-up the costs for the past three years (total $90,000) and pay current yearly due ($30,000).

Question:
How to join?

Answer:
The interested company needs to submit a proposal to Dr. Tang. The consortium members will evaluate the proposal and vote on whether to accept or deny permission to join. Two-thirds of the current members must approve of the proposal.
In the proposal the interested company will need to outline their cash contribution, dates of payment and state how they will contribute as an active member of the consortium to develop the new technology.