Project Number: 2030-41000-064-18-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 1, 2017
End Date: May 31, 2022

Objective:
The objectives of this Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement between the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of California at Merced (UCM) are as follows: - To expand the UCM, Advanced Solar Technical Institute's and ARS' knowledge base around the interaction between heat-based food processing unit operations and solar thermal collectors. - To discuss the optimization of systems for solar thermal processing of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and the by-products of these crops. - To connect researchers who are interested in advancing their knowledge and research in solar thermal processing of food crops with leading research institutions. - To collaborate on funding proposals for solar-related research.

Approach:
To accomplish the stated objectives the following approach will be utilized: - Create an affiliate relationship between UCM (a consortium of research labs spread among 9 UC campuses) and non-profit research institutions.