RESEARCH PROJECTS 2018-2024
Center of Excellence in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence: http://www.quantumc.unal.edu.co/ceqcai.html#ceqcai
The Center of Excellence in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence is an initiative aimed at internationally establishing Colombia as a prominent player in the fields of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. This center seeks to achieve this objective through interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers from the National University and various national and international institutions. Its fundamental mission is to generate highly specialized and innovative knowledge in strategically relevant areas of global significance that will shape the course of science and technology in the current century. The center's vision is grounded in the cohesive integration of academic, research, and collaborative work with the sustainable advancement of the country.
Modeling, Monitoring, and Optimization of the Chocolate Conching Process. 2018-2020
Conching is one of the key processes in chocolate production, as it involves the elimination of undesirable volatile compounds and the attainment of the required viscosity and texture conditions for molding. Ensuring standardization and control of this process is crucial to reduce variations in the product's rheology, composition, and sensory performance. Currently, work is underway to develop a semi-physical, phenomenological-based model (SPFM) that dynamically relates variables involved in the conching process.
PLANT-WIDE CONTROL ON PROCESSES WITH NARROW FEASIBLE REGION AND RECYCLES Kaolin benefit plant. 2018-2021
In this project, the operation was controlled by considering the process as a whole, with the primary objective being the improvement of separation efficiency. To achieve this goal, the project was conducted in the following stages:
Selection and implementation of all the necessary instrumentation to have complete information on the operation of the kaolin separation tower in La Unión (Antioquia).
Design and implementation of PID regulatory control loops.
Proposal for Plantwide control using model-based control.
Model for predicting sausage hardness based on the structural and compositional changes in protein fractions. 2018-2023
With the development of this research, the following achievements were made:
Proposal of an integrated model for the effect of different protein fractions in meat and processing conditions on the hardness attribute, considering the evolution of various protein types and operational conditions in the preparation of a meat product.
Construction of a simulation tool based on the quantification of the evolving process of different protein fractions to predict an attribute of the final product, all implemented in open-source software.