AI Solutions
for Healthy
Sustainable Food

Effective AI solutions combine multiple digital technologies. The Food AI Lab has world-leading expertise in Sensing, Machine Learning, and Optimisation for food systems. We focus on overcoming barriers to industry adoption, including cost, trust, and usability.

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Our projects
01
Sensing
We use acoustic (immersion/contact/non-contact ultrasound) and optical (NIR, hyperspectral, colour imaging) sensing with energy/water monitoring, deployed in labs and industrial settings.
02
Machine learning
Our approaches include neural networks (CNNs, Transformers), LSTM units, and efficient learning methods like active, transfer, and federated learning. We emphasise model interpretability and use hybrid physics-AI modelling frameworks.
03
Optimisation
We use Bayesian optimisation and life cycle assessments to systematically balance different, often competing, objectives (e.g. economic, environment, quality) across products, processes and systems.

Our Expertise

Case Studies

Stainless steel fermentation vessels in a brewery
Process monioring

Sustainable breweries

Beer fermentation end point detection by combining Ultrasonic Sensing with Transfer and Federated Learning.
Surplus vegetables being sorted into a collection crate
Bioprocess Optimisation

Agri-food waste upcycling

Efficient upcycling of agri-food waste to microbial protein using Hybrid Modelling, Transfer Learning and Bayesian Optimisation.
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Rapid Screening

Allergen Detection

Detecting allergens in powdered food using Near infrared Spectroscopy and Machine Learning.
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Resource efficiency

Industrial Cleaning

Reducing the cost and environmental impact of industrial cleaning processes using Ultrasonic Sensing, Machine Learning and Bayesian Optimisation.

Our team has decades of experience in food science, engineering, physics, computer science, sensing and modelling

  • Headshot of smiling female tutor with short blonde hair wearing a lanyard.

    Nicholas Watson

    Professor of AI in Food
    PhD, Chemical Engineering, Leeds. Advancing the circular bioeconomy and alternative proteins. Industry partners from micro-SMEs to multinationals.

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  • Darren Greetham

    Lecturer in Yeast Fermentations
    Yeast biology and fermentation. PhD, Aberystwyth. Generating the biological data behind the AI platform.

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  • Aakriti Ahuja

    Research Support Technician
    Managing the Digital Fermentation Studio, from bioprocess experiments and equipment training to product testing and workshops delivered across six continents.

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  • Mel Holmes

    Assoc. Prof. of Food Processing
    Differential equations and Monte Carlo methods for food. Turning physical systems and dietary data into real insight.

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  • Alex Bowler

    Research Fellow in AI for Sustainable Food
    AI, sensing, and sustainability in food. PhD, Chemical Engineering, Nottingham. Modelling microbial protein from food waste.

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  • Subas Rana

    Research Software Engineer
    PhD in Computer Science (UGA), ML specialist. Building and deploying the lab's AI platform.

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  • Ryan O'Shea

    Research Fellow
    Co-developing an AI-driven optimisation platform for alternative protein production from agri-food residues.

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  • Tom Hazlehurst

    Research and Innovation Fellow
    AI and machine learning for food security and alternative protein. Applied maths across academia and industry.

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  • Poppy Daniels

    Poppy Daniels

    PhD researcher
    Applying machine learning to optimise chocolate processing and enhance its nutritional, functional, and technical properties.

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  • Pawat Srisiriwat

    PhD Student
    PhD researcher applying transfer learning to ultrasonic sensing, minimising the data needed to train food production models.

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  • Alexander Lim

    PhD Student
    AI for predicting solid fat content and crystallisation in oil blends. With Nestlé and the BBSRC.

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  • Neil Rigby

    Research and Teaching support technician
    Manages the School's ultrasound and colloid equipment and supports laboratory teaching and safety.

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  • Tom Bailey

    Research and Innovation Fellow in Colloid Science @ NAPIC 
    Modifying plant proteins for better colloidal properties. PhD, Chemical Engineering, Leeds.

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Track Record

Research built over years, not a pitch deck

100+

Peer-reviewed publications

2025

Founded, building on decades of experience

5

Active funded projects

Let’s work together.

Interested in collaborating, funding a project, or joining the lab? Get in touch and we’ll get back to you.