Federal Appropriation Would Aid WSU Research in Food Processing, Positrons

PULLMAN, Wash. – Research programs in Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and Center for Materials Research would each receive $1 million in funding through the 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill, which passed the U.S. Senate this week.

The appropriations, which were sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, would support research in microwave sterilization technology and on harnessing the power created by positron energy conversion.

“We greatly appreciate this support for WSU’s research and Sen. Murray’s role in helping move it forward,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd. “In these very different areas, WSU is doing path-breaking research with practical, long-term benefits and both projects are certainly worthy of this backing.”

Juming Tang began work on the new microwave sterilization technology in 2001 with support from the IMPACT Center, WSU, the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center. The goal of the project is to create high quality, shelf-stable products, specifically military rations, using the technology Tang developed.

“We want to create products that look and taste better for our military and eventually the general public,” said Tang. 

Tang’s long wave microwave sterilization method reduces overall processing time from 30 to 60 minutes down to approximately 10 minutes, by radiating microwave energy from the top and bottom, through the packaging and directly into the center of the food product. This process essentially heats the food from the inside out; killing harmful pathogens, while preserving the quality and appearance.

Researchers have been working with the new technology and its application to different products; working with fish, meat and poultry products, in addition to vegetables like asparagus , mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and recently soups, to retain overall quality, taste, aroma, and eye appeal.

The project is currently facing one of its largest challenges – gaining acceptance from the Food and Drug Administration for commercial application – which regulates the U.S. food supply. The Senate appropriation will help support research to develop scientific information and protocols needed for FDA approval.

The positron research is being done in the Center for Materials Research, led by Kelvin Lynn, Boeing Chair of Advanced Materials.

Positrons, particles that are like electrons but with the opposite electrical charge, could well be the fuel of choice for space propulsion in extremely remote locations where transporting the weight of other fuels is impractical and solar energy is unavailable.  WSU researchers are exploring this idea in conjunction with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

“This funding will allow for the beginning of pioneering research into energy storage of positrons,” Lynn said. “This research is valuable for the future not only of space travel but also for enhancing current uses in human, animal, and plant medical science, reducing and eliminating pathological biological agents, reducing defects in metals and materials and enhancing national defense.”

The defense appropriations bill was passed in the Senate by a voice vote. It will now be reconciled with the House version of the bill before being sent to the president.