Penn State University's Center for Food Manufacturing (CFM) doubled its membership last year and is hoping to do the same in 1999. The university's CFM partnership with industry addresses engineering-related issues with special focus on advanced sensors, process control and safety. Member companies include food manufacturers as well as equipment, control, software, utility and other suppliers serving the food industry.

Members enjoy benefits such as selecting research projects, study results, involvement with leading edge technology semiannual meetings, industry/academia interaction and more.

Examples of selected projects include neural network control of processing using ultrasonic sensors; continuous blending of meat to control fat using near infrared technology and batching for just in time food manufacturing.

Penn State Center for Food Manufacturing, 233 Ag. Eng. Bldg., University Park, PA 16802. Tel.: (814) 865-4582; Fax: (814) 863-1031. www.age.psu.edu/food-cfm