Food, Energy and Water

Using Yeast to Convert Almond Hulls to Animal Feed

Yeast grown on almond hulls could be a new, sustainable route to produce high-protein animal feed from an agricultural waste product, according to research from UC Davis published Nov. 15 in PLOS One.

Shamim Ahamed Named Hellman Fellow

A dozen early-career faculty members at UC Davis have been named to this year's Hellman Fellowship, a program to help propel their work to the next level. One faculty member selected is Shamim Ahamed, an assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering.

When It Comes to AI, Farmers Will Need to Strike a Balance

AI has affected numerous job markets with Goldman Sachs economists estimating that 300 million jobs across the globe could be automated by AI. However, AI is not always better, faster or cheaper with current iterations prone to mistakes or false information.

How Artificial Intelligence May Improve Food Safety

Artificial intelligence could be a valuable tool for the future of food safety. New research out of UC Davis finds that a technique using AI and optical imaging can quickly and accurately identify bacteria in food, making it a promising approach for preventing foodborne outbreaks and illnesses.

Strawberry Harvesters Get Some Help from New Robot Coworkers

Strawberry season may be getting streamlined thanks to new robot coworkers developed at UC Davis.   Using an innovative prediction and scheduling system, Fragile cRop hArvest-aIding mobiLe robots, or FRAIL-bots, track the picking process of each worker so when they’re finished filling a tray with strawberries, a FRAIL-bot is already nearby to take it back to the collection station for them. 

Cleaning Leafy Greens is Getting Easier Thanks to Research at UC Davis

It starts with the crunchy, crisp bites found only in the fresh leaves of iceberg lettuce. As employees in the local cafe clock in late after missing their alarm, they start their shift first counting the money in the till. That is, until their coworker comes bustling out the back doors, imploring them for help with food preparation.

How to Properly Store Grapes So They Last

For the very best tips on how to choose, wash, and store grapes for maximum freshness and shelf-life, we turned to the faculty at UC Davis’ PostHarvest Technology Center, including Irwin Donis-González, assistant professor of cooperative extension in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.