WATER ACTIVITY SCIENTIFIC CONTEST by AquaLab

Decagon is sponsoring a competition to find the best research being done in water activity (aw).  Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their new and exciting projects using aw as a tool for product development, quality control, and food safety. The competition will involve submitting a research quality paper to the review committee that details the work and highlights its uniqueness, market feasibility, and benefits to the consumer. The top three submissions will be rewarded as detailed below.  The goal for the “Water Activity Contest” is to stimulate the research and study of such aw applications, raise the awareness about aw science, encourage innovation, and provide a channel where top studies can be formally recognized.

Main Objective
Have users of AquaLab aw meters submit papers on the importance of aw as an indicator of product quality and safety focusing on the importance of the information aw provides concerning quality control, research and development, packaging requirements, moisture migration, and other related subjects.  The paper can relate information about utilizing aw in former applications, current applications, or future planned projects. Examples of successfully implementing aw as a process control or release specification are highly encouraged.

Eligibility
Users of any water activity meter manufactured by Decagon Devices, Inc. can participate in the contest.  Accepted models include: AquaLab Series 3, AquaLab Series 3TE, Pawkit, AquaLab LITE, AquaLab Series 4TE, AquaLab Series 4TEV, AquaLab Series 4TE DUO, and AquaSorp.  The serial number of the instrument must be mentioned in the application form (see form attached).

Paper Submission Guideline
Submission should be in electronic format: Microsoft Word or PDF, Letter or A4 format, font Arial 10, and should not exceed 6 pages, including the mandatory application form. All material must be in the English language. Papers must be submitted to your local authorized AquaLab distributor, who will approve your submission. For a list of distributors in your area, please visit www.aqualab.com.

Deadlines
All papers must be submitted before April 30th, 2011.  The results and awards will be presented during the “Institute of Food Technologists” (IFT) Conference on June 11‐13th, 2011 in New Orleans, LA, USA. Winners are not required to be present.

Evaluation Process
Papers will be evaluated by a committee formed by highly qualified professionals, professors, and scientists, divided into three main groups:
‐ Local AquaLab distributor (will grade and select three top papers to submit to Decagon)
‐ Independent industry expert
‐ A team formed by Decagon employees

Evaluators will judge the following factors:
‐ Uniqueness of application
‐ Market feasibility
‐ Cost
‐ Savings potential

Awards
First place: Organization will receive a voucher worth US$3000 (three thousand dollars) in products or services from Decagon. Individual responsible for the paper will receive a VISA gift card worth US$1500.

Second place: Organization will receive a voucher worth US$2000 (two thousand dollars) in products or services from Decagon. Individual responsible for the paper will receive a VISA gift card worth US$1000.

Third place: Organization will receive a voucher worth US$1000 (one thousand dollars) in products or services from Decagon. Individual responsible for the paper will receive a VISA gift card worth US$500.

All applicants will receive a certificate of participation from Decagon Devices.

Scroll down to print the application form.......