Thesis with Planted: lab on a chip

The processing of plant-based proteins offers a huge potential to offer end-consumers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to meat products such as chicken. The production of planted-based food products is accomplished using the classical process of extrusion. The material is mixed and fed through an extruder and then cooled down in a water-cooled extrusion die to produce the textured material. Together with the ETH spin-off Planted Foods, we are enhancing the production process of meat alternatives. Testing new plant-based raw materials for their suitability as meat substitutes has traditionally required complex and time-consuming experiments. Numerous hurdles hamper the further development of existing materials and the identification of new ones. Suitable laboratory-scale analytical methods are lacking. The goal of this project is to develop an analytical method that will enable even small material samples to be tested for their suitability for the extrusion process. For this purpose, a custom-made analytical device based on lab-on-a-chip technology will be developed.

The processing of plant-based proteins offers a huge potential to offer end-consumers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to meat products such as chicken. The production of planted-based food products is accomplished using the classical process of extrusion. The material is mixed and fed through an extruder and then cooled down in a water-cooled extrusion die to produce the textured material. Together with the ETH spin-off Planted Foods, we are enhancing the production process of meat alternatives.
Testing new plant-based raw materials for their suitability as meat substitutes has traditionally required complex and time-consuming experiments. Numerous hurdles hamper the further development of existing materials and the identification of new ones. Suitable laboratory-scale analytical methods are lacking. The goal of this project is to develop an analytical method that will enable even small material samples to be tested for their suitability for the extrusion process. For this purpose, a custom-made analytical device based on lab-on-a-chip technology will be developed.

The preliminary work packages include the following: - Get familiar with the extrusion process of plant-based proteins and the results from pre-study - - Create CAD design microfluidic analytic device as well as drawings for post-machining of dies - Plan and setup test environment to use analytical device in - perform multiple experimental tests with existing and novel materials on the newly designed analytical device - Evaluate results from the tests and investigate transfer of knowledge to the production process - Documentation of results (weekly & monthly meetings, midterm & final presentations)

The preliminary work packages include the following:
- Get familiar with the extrusion process of plant-based proteins and the results from pre-study
- - Create CAD design microfluidic analytic device as well as drawings for post-machining of dies
- Plan and setup test environment to use analytical device in
- perform multiple experimental tests with existing and novel materials on the newly designed analytical device
- Evaluate results from the tests and investigate transfer of knowledge to the production process
- Documentation of results (weekly & monthly meetings, midterm & final presentations)

- a high level of motivation, hands-on mentality, and passion for the topic
- - done prior projects with experimental testing, hardware, and prototyping
- experience with CAD design, machined parts
- the desire to do your thesis with a young and dynamic team together with ETH startup Planted

pd|z Product Development Group Zurich (ETHZ) - https://pdz.ethz.ch/

pd|z Product Development Group Zurich (ETHZ) - https://pdz.ethz.ch/

~ 01.04.2025 (flexible!) / Duration: 4 months (Bachelor and semester thesis) or 6 months (Master thesis)
Lab: pd|z Product

Please send your CV, list of grades and short motivation letter together with a description of your skills, experience, and prior projects to Maximilian Reikat (mreikat@ethz.ch)

Please send your CV, list of grades and short motivation letter together with a description of your skills, experience, and prior projects to Maximilian Reikat (mreikat@ethz.ch)