Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVVWork at Fraunhofer IVV
Bachelor Thesis in the field of material development – »Investigations of polymer-based food packaging using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)«
Topic:
Investigations of polymer-based food packaging using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Background:Laminated plastic films used for food packaging must fulfill certain requirements with regard to mechanical stability, gas barrier, printability, etc. Imagine that the crispy potato chips were suddenly left to lie flabby in the packaging due to a lack of barrier against water vapor or that popular nut mix would become rancid due to a lack of barrier against oxygen.
To achieve these barrier properties, multilayer films made of several different plastic layers are currently being used. The thickness of these layers is sometimes only a few nanometers, which is why the analysis with the light microscope reaches the resolution limits. The scanning electron microscope offers one possibility to analyze the layer structure. However, since the polymer films are not conductive, innovative solutions for sample preparation are required.Aim of the Thesis:
The aim of this work is to research, analyze and evaluate the different possibilities of sample preparation for scanning electron microscopy and to take SEM images with different parameter sets to assess their quality. After a detailed literature search on the current state of the art, in-house standard samples are prepared for the images and then analyzed. The different types of samples, ranging from high barrier films for coffee powder to perforated transport bags, underline the diversity of this scientific question.Project Plan:
- Literature research on the current state of the art in food packaging
- Selection of specific packaging
- Analysis and evaluation of the different types of sample preparation
- Creating and evaluating REM images
- Optimization of the process parameters for preparation and recording
- Technical documentation (Bachelor thesis, presentation)
Field of Study:
Applicants should have basic knowledge of polymer chemistry and analysis, sample preparation in chemical laboratories and material characterization (IR, DSC, REM, and EDX).
Possible courses of study would be process-engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, physics or a comparable course of study.
Contact:
Stefan Schiessl
Phone +49 8161 491-547
stefan.schiessl@ivv.fraunhofer.deMaster Thesis in the field of Sensory Analytics – Machine learning
Growing research group seeks student interested in machine learning
The Digital Chemistry Group at Fraunhofer IVV is looking for a student who wants to work on data scientific projects that have a clear real-world impact on chemistry. We are looking for a motivated person who will bring ideas to revolutionize the way chemists design molecules.
We’re a small team, who enjoys working together. We offer room for you to work independently, but guide you both scientifically and personally to develop your project and yourself. Additionally, you will find an excellent environment well equipped with state-of-the-art tools to develop skills outside your curriculum that will make you stand apart. We value minimal regulations and flat hierarchy, as we focus on getting efficiently interesting and challenging work done. Our team of chemists, computer scientists and data scientists are mainly located in Freising and flexibility can be arranged depending on the projects and work load.
Must Haves
- You are familiar with Python
- You have worked with (or are willing to learn) scikit learn, Jupyter, Pytorch or similar machine learning libraries
- You are comfortable solving problems by writing your own code
Extra points for any of the following
- You know your way around computational chemistry
- You have some prior knowledge and experience with deep learning
- You have worked with Anaconda and Git
- You’re familiar with the concept of clean code
Severely disabled people are given preferential employment if they are equally qualified. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft attaches great importance to the professional equality of women and men.
Fraunhofer is the largest organization for application-oriented research in Europe. Our research fields are geared to people's needs: Health, safety, communication, mobility, energy and the environment. We are creative, we design technology, we design products, we improve processes, we open up new avenues.
If you have any questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Satnam Singh, M.Sc
Department of Sensory Analytics
Phone +49 152 27507140
satnam.singh@ivv.fraunhofer.deMaster Thesis in the field of Sensory Analytics – Coding
Growing research group seeks student proficient in Coding
The Digital Chemistry Group at Fraunhofer IVV is looking for students who want to work on data scientific projects with real-world impact on chemistry, and who want to develop a career in chemical data science. During your Master Thesis you will be part of an interdisciplinary team and will work on computation and simulation of infrared absorption data for selected molecules using various mathematical models and quantum chemical (QC) approaches. Testing and developing of various machine learning methods for simplifying the computational and simulation work will also be part of your work.
What we expect from you
- You have some prior knowledge and experience in deep learning and data scientific tools.
- You have good programming skills, especially in Python, and have worked with Anaconda and Git. You are familiar using data scientific tools.
Extra Points for any of the following
- First experience in IR spectral data evaluation, spectral modeling and calculations.
What you can expect from us
We’re a small team, who enjoys working together. We offer room for you to work independently, but guide you both scientifically and personally to develop your project and yourself. Additionally, you will find an excellent environment well equipped with state-of-the-art tools to develop skills outside your curriculum that will make you stand apart. We value minimal regulations and flat hierarchy, as we focus on getting efficiently interesting and challenging work done. Our team of chemists, computer scientists and data scientists are mainly located in Freising and we require you to be onsite in Freising, providing flexibility (Home Office) upon agreement based on the project and work load.
In case of identical qualifications, preference will be given to severely disabled candidates. The Fraunhofer Community emphasizes gender-independent professional equality.
Fraunhofer is Europe’s largest application–oriented research organization. Our research efforts are geared entirely to the people’s needs: health, security, communication, energy and the environment. We are creative, we design technology and products, we improve processes and open up new avenues.
If you have questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Isik Türkmen, Ph.D.
Department of Sensory Analytics
Phone: +49 176 6533 0695
isik.tuerkmen@ivv.fraunhofer.deMaster Thesis in the field of Sensory Analytics – IR spectroscopy and Coding
Growing research group seeks student proficient in IR spectroscopy and Coding
The Digital Chemistry Group at Fraunhofer IVV is looking for students who want to work on data scientific projects with real-world impact on chemistry, and who want to develop a career in chemical data science. During your Master Thesis you will be part of an interdisciplinary team and will work on computation and simulation of infrared absorption data for selected molecules using various mathematical models and quantum chemical (QC) approaches. Testing and developing of various machine learning methods for simplifying the computational and simulation work will also be part of your work.
What we expect from you
- You have experience in IR spectral data evaluation and are familiar with spectral modeling and calculations.
- You have good programming skills, especially in Python.
- You are comfortable solving problems by writing your own code.
Extra Points for any of the following
- You know your way around computational chemistry.
- You have some prior knowledge and experience with deep learning
- You have worked with Anaconda and Git
What you can expect from us
We’re a small team, who enjoys working together. We offer room for you to work independently, but guide you both scientifically and personally to develop your project and yourself. Additionally, you will find an excellent environment well equipped with state-of-the-art tools to develop skills outside your curriculum that will make you stand apart. We value minimal regulations and flat hierarchy, as we focus on getting efficiently interesting and challenging work done. Our team of chemists, computer scientists and data scientists are mainly located in Freising and we require you to be onsite in Freising, providing flexibility (Home Office) upon agreement based on the project and work load.
In case of identical qualifications, preference will be given to severely disabled candidates. The Fraunhofer Community emphasizes gender-independent professional equality.
Fraunhofer is Europe’s largest application –oriented research organization. Our research efforts are geared entirely to the people’s needs: health, security, communication, energy and the environment. We are creative, we design technology and products, we improve processes and open up new avenues.
If you have questions about this position, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Isik Türkmen, Ph.D.
Department of Sensory Analytics
Phone: +49 176 6533 0695
isik.tuerkmen@ivv.fraunhofer.de
Bachelor or Master Thesis in the Department Process Development of Plant Raw Materials and Food
There are ongoing offers for internships in a variety of fields
Department Food Process Development:
- Production of fat substitutes based on lupine protein: Development of methods for processing and recycling the secondary flows and production of protein and fibre fractions which are suitable for market introduction
- Fractionation of plant based raw materials, like oil seeds (sunflower, rapeseed, linseed), leguminous plants and cereals
- Characterization of proteins and fibres in terms of technofunctional and sensory properties
- Modification of soy protein isolates to reduce allergenic potential. Analytic characterization of the effectiveness of the different processes on the molecular weight distribution and the sensory properties
- Development and production of plant based dairy products via fermentation
- Development and production of meat surrogates from plant based raw materials using food extrusion processes
- Studies on the use of residues resulting from the extraction of oil in the production of high-quality fish feed
- Studies on substituting animal based materials in extruded feedstuff
- Pasteurization of food using electric high frequency fields
- Development and testing of model recipes using alternative plant based ingredients in baked goods, delicatessen, sweets, desserts and beverages
Department Process Development for Plant Raw Materials:
- Evaluation of different influences on the enzymatic modification of plant based oils for the production of biofuels
- Evaluation of the influence the refining level of plant oils has on the technological quality of base oils for biolubricants
- Production of base oils for biolubricants
- Operation and optimization of a pilot reactor for the enzymatic modification of plant oils
- Screening of enzymes for the enzymatic deacidification of plant oils using waste streams from the biodiesel production
- Preparation of residues from plant oil production
- Analysis of the substrate conditioning for lipase-catalyzed deacidification of rapeseed oil
- Integration of the enzymatic deacidification of plant oils in the raffination process
- Analysis of the regeneration capacity of immobilized lipases
- Modelling the enzymatic transesterification of plant oils
- Influencing the thermal properties of proteins with the help of chemical, physical and enzymatic modification
- Extraction of usable fractions from waste materials from the agricultural and food industry
Field of study: Plastics Technology, Physical Engineering, Food Technology, Environmental Technology, Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry, Food Chemistry, etc.Contact:
Carmen Thiem
Process Development for Plant Raw Materials/
Food Process Development
Tel. +49 8161 491-401
carmen.thiem@ivv.fraunhofer.deDiploma and bachelor thesis in the area of material development
With the help of different techniques for the modification and coating of surfaces we develop polymer films with barrier properties against permanent gases and vapours. Further development goals are the inclusion of active components in film laminates for food packagings as well as technical applications. These topics are being processed with commercial polymer materials as well as materials based on regrowing raw materials.
Example for possible topics:
- Innovative packagings films
- Coatings on paper an cardboards
- Films for technical applications
- Development of barrier films
- Simulation of permeation processes
- Testing methods for packaging
Field of study: Food Technology, Plastics Processing/Engineering, Process Engineering, Packaging Engineering
Contact:
Christiane Ostermaier
Materials Development
Phone +49 8161 491-501
christiane.ostermaier@ivv.fraunhofer.de
Diploma, Bachelor or Master Thesis in the field of material development – »Permeation and sorption mechanisms in barrier films«
Diploma, Bachelor or Master thesis on the topic of modelling and numeric simulation of permeation and sorption mechanisms in barrier films, suitable for students in the fields of Physics, (Mechanical) Engineering, Plastics/ Packaging/ Process Engineering, Food Technology.
Contact:
Esra Kücükpinar Niarchos
Materials Development
Phone +49 8161 491-507
esra.kucukpinar@ivv.fraunhofer.deDiploma or Master Thesis in the field of material development – »Layer thickness determination of transparent organic coatings by fluorescence dyes«
Topic:
Layer thickness determination of transparent organic coatings by fluorescence dyes
Background:
Measuring the thickness distribution of a rather thin, transparent organic layer on a transparent polymer film can be challenging. Some fluorescence dyes absorb light of a particular wavelength and emit light with a longer wavelength. This property, called fluorescence, can be detected with extremely high sensitivity and therefore, only a very small concentration of a fluorescent dye, added to the organic layer, is sufficient. The detected fluorescence intensity is correlated to the thickness of the organic layer.
Aim of the Thesis:
The aim of this thesis will be the monitoring of the emitted fluorescence light intensity of an organic layer as a function of its thickness. The organic material is mixed with a fluorescent dye before processing. The optical measurement system includes an appropriate light source, with an optical detection system. The layer containing the fluorescent dye will be triggered by means of the light source; and the emitted light will be captured by means of the optical detection system. The captured images will be analyzed in terms of the RGB intensities (for a specific selected region of interest), which will then be correlated to the coating layer thicknesses.
A model will be generated showing the layer thickness dependency on the emitted fluorescence intensity. The achievable resolution of the measurement system will be determined at the minimum reasonable fluorescent dye concentration.
Project Plan:- Preparation of the organic materials with dyes, coatings at various layer thicknesses
- Measurement and evaluation of the effect of the various optical system parameters on detected signal.
- Determination of layer thicknesses by means of microscopy
- Evaluation of the results and generation of models showing the layer thickness dependency on signal intensity.
- Optimization of the system parameters for a reproducible, accurate layer thickness determination
- Technical documentation (Master thesis, presentation, Publication)
Field of Study:
Applicants should have basic knowledge in optical spectroscopy, photometry, materials and processing, and programming with MATLAB.
Possible fields of study are Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, PhysicsContact:
Esra Kücükpinar, Dieter Bauer
Phone +49 8161 491-507
esra.kucukpinar@ivv.fraunhofer.de- Preparation of the organic materials with dyes, coatings at various layer thicknesses
Final Thesis in the field of Polymer Recycling
Diploma, Bachelor or Master Thesis for students in the areas of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Bio Process Technology, Mechanical Engineering in the area of Plastics Recycling
Recycling plastics becomes increasingly more important since fossile resources are limited and harmful emissions have to be reduced. The Department for Process Development for Polymer Recycling at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging in Freising experiments with the solvent-based recycling of plastics (CreaSolv®-Process) and the interaction of solvents and polymers. This process enables us to selectively dissolve out one or several specific target plastics from complex plastic-containing waste materials and to produce ultrapure polymer recyclates.
CreaSolv®-VerfahrensprinzipWe are looking for comitted students who can work independently and assist us in different problems as part of a final thesis. The possible topics can be fitted individually to the interests and qualifications of the applicant. The main focus of the thesis will be adjusted accordingly (e.g. purely chemical, process engineering, analytical, theoretical, etc.)
The thesis can be produced in German or English.
For organizational reasons please apply not later than 3 month prior to the beginning of the theses.Contact:
Birgit Faltermayr
Phone +49 8161 491-301
birgit.faltermayr@ivv.fraunhofer.deBachelor or Master Thesis in the field of Sensory Analytics – »Impact of odour-active compounds on humans«
We offer open positions for: Bachelor’s and Master’s dissertations or equivalent in the field of neuroscience, biology, nutrition science or psychology
Topic description: Impact of odour-active compounds on humans
Applicants should have a strong interest in (behavioural) biological and physiological methods for biofeedback measurements (respiration, pulse, skin conductance/resistance, EEG, fMRI) in humans. Experience in human sensory assessments and statistics are desirable. The successful candidate should also demonstrate a strong understanding of chemical molecular structures.
The scope of the investigation is to examine odorants in terms of the effects of their odour, but also their physiological and psychological irritation on human subjects. Potential stressor effects, as well as the effects on wellbeing, should be characterised. The associations and behavioural responses associated with certain smells are also of interest.
Applications should be sent to:
Prof. Jessica Freiherr
Department of Sensory Analytics
Phone +49 8161 491-302
jessica.freiherr@ivv.fraunhofer.deBachelor or Master Thesis in the field of Sensory Analytics – »Analysis of volatile organic compounds«
We offer open positions for: Bachelor’s and Master’s dissertations or equivalent in the field of physics, chemistry (analytical or food) or physiology
Topic descriptions: Analysis of volatile organic compounds in relation to- human exposure (dietary or otherwise) and human/anthropogenic emissions
- industrial and (food) processing emissions
- emissions from articles of everyday use
- food maturation and spoilage
Applicants should have basic knowledge in the analysis of volatile organic compounds, in particular the techniques of proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or ion mobility spectrometry (IMS).
The different investigations on offer focus on issues relating to human exposure and pharmacokinetics (administration, distribution, metabolism and elimination; ADME) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from diverse sources (diet, inhalation, etc.). Further topics of investigation are food spoilage in relation to the emission of their volatile degradation products over time, either from photooxidative or microbial spoilage, and industrial and/or (food) processing emissions for characterising chemical mechanisms that provide clues on the process status to enable intervention.
Applications should be sent to:
Dr Jonathan Beauchamp
Department of Sensory Analytics
Phone +49 8161 491-214
jonathan.beauchamp@ivv.fraunhofer.deBachelor or Master Thesis in the field of Sensory Analytics – »Analysis and synthesis of odour-active compounds and sensory evaluations«
We offer open positions for: Bachelor’s and Master’s dissertations or equivalent in the field of food chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry or molecular sciences
Topic description: Analysis and synthesis of odour-active compounds and sensory evaluations
Applicants should have basic knowledge in the analysis and/or the synthesis of organic compounds, in particular odour-active volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Experience in sensory tests and chromatographic analytical methods, specifically gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, are desirable.
The scope of the investigation is to analytically characterise and/or synthesise odour-active VOCs as potentially important odorants or contaminants in foods, plant materials or synthetic materials such as plastics. Target compounds will be identified by analytical parameters such as mass spectra, retention indices and odour properties in relation to the respective materials in which they are found. The synthesis of stable isotope-labelled analogues of the odour-active target substances is occasionally necessary in order to quantify these substances in the respective materials.
Applications should be sent to:
Philipp Denk
Department of Sensory Analytics
Phone +49 8161 491-318
philipp.denk@ivv.fraunhofer.de
Internship in the Department Food Process Development
There are ongoing offers for internships in a variety of fields
- Production of fat substitutes based on lupine protein: Development of methods for processing and recycling the secondary flows and production of protein and fibre fractions which are suitable for market introduction
- Fractionation of plant based raw materials, like oil seeds (sunflower, rapeseed, linseed), leguminous plants and cereals
- Characterization of proteins and fibres in terms of technofunctional and sensory properties
- Modification of soy protein isolates to reduce allergenic potential. Analytic characterization of the effectiveness of the different processes on the molecular weight distribution and the sensory properties
- Development and production of plant based dairy products via fermentation
- Development and production of meat surrogates from plant based raw materials using food extrusion processes
- Studies on the use of residues resulting from the extraction of oil in the production of high-quality fish feed
- Studies on substituting animal based materials in extruded feedstuff
- Pasteurization of food using electric high frequency fields
- Development and testing of model recipes using alternative plant based ingredients in baked goods, delicatessen, sweets, desserts and beverages
Contact:
Carmen Thiem
Process Development for Plant Raw Materials/
Food Process Development
Phone +49 8161 491-401
carmen.thiem@ivv.fraunhofer.deInternship in the Department Process Development for Plant Raw Materials
There are ongoing offers for internships in a variety of fields
- Evaluation of different influences on the enzymatic modification of plant based oils for the production of biofuels
- Evaluation of the influence the refining level of plant oils has on the technological quality of base oils for biolubricants
- Production of base oils for biolubricants
- Operation and optimization of a pilot reactor for the enzymatic modification of plant oils
- Screening of enzymes for the enzymatic deacidification of plant oils using waste streams from the biodiesel production
- Preparation of residues from plant oil production
- Analysis of the substrate conditioning for lipase-catalyzed deacidification of rapeseed oil
- Integration of the enzymatic deacidification of plant oils in the raffination process
- Analysis of the regeneration capacity of immobilized lipases
- Modelling the enzymatic transesterification of plant oils
- Influencing the thermal properties of proteins with the help of chemical, physical and enzymatic modification
- Extraction of usable fractions from waste materials from the agricultural and food industry
Field of study: Plastics Technology, Physical Engineering, Food Technology, Environmental Technology, Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry, Food Chemistry, etc.
Contact:
Sonja Riedmaier
Process Development for Plant Raw Materials
Phone +49 8161 491-498
sonja.riedmaier@ivv.fraunhofer.deInternship in the Department Retention of Food Quality
There are ongoing offers for internships in a variety of topics in the field of food quality:
- Chocolate technology
- Development of physical-chemical analysis methods for quality evaluation
- Influence of oxygen and light on the shelf life of food
- Development of antimicrobial surfaces
- Decontamination of surfaces using innovative physical processes (for example gas plasma)
- Mycotoxin analysis
Field of study: Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Nutrition and Hygiene Technology, Environmental Technology, Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry, Biotechnology, etc.
Contact:
Dr.-Ing. Peter Muranyi
Retention of Food Quality
Phone +49 8161 491-629
peter.muranyi@ivv.fraunhofer.deInternship in the Department of Sensory Analytics
We offer ongoing internship opportunities on a range of topics:
- Investigations of odor-active, taste-active substances in humans
- Implementation of biofeedback measurements (respiration rate , pulse, skin conductance); subject surveys and statistical evaluation
- Examinations of volatile organic compounds as emitted from consumer goods, objects of daily uses, or from metabolism
- Studies of volatile / odor-active compounds in food production, maturation, storage and spoliage
- Organic Syntheses of odor / metabolically active compounds
- Sensory examinations of food and commodities
Contact:
Birgit Lintner
Department of Sensory Analytics
Phone + 49 8161 491-172
birgit.lintner@ivv.fraunhofer.de
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