High-throughput integrated microrheology platform for plant protein processing analysis
A microscale rheology platform that emulates extrusion processing for rapid screening of plant protein formulations. Combines viscosity-mismatched flow analysis with real-time parameter screening to evaluate feedstock composition, process dynamics, and product quality at high throughput.
Overview
This solution offers a high-throughput microrheology platform designed to accelerate the development and screening of plant protein formulations for extrusion processing. By leveraging viscosity-mismatched microscale flows, the technique replicates the hydrodynamic conditions of industrial extrusion while enabling rapid evaluation of how processing parameters affect protein structure and flow behavior. The platform addresses a critical bottleneck in plant-based protein product development by providing integrated feedstock screening, process simulation, and product evaluation in a single workflow.
The technology is particularly valuable for food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and researchers developing plant-based protein products who need to efficiently explore formulation variables such as water content, composition, and temperature without relying on time-consuming conventional rheology methods.
Technical specifications
- Viscosity-mismatched microrheology: Operates across multiple flow regimes to emulate extrusion processing conditions at microscale
- High-throughput screening: Enables simultaneous evaluation of multiple parameters including water content, composition, and temperature
- Real-time dynamic assessment: Captures instantaneous changes in flow properties that result directly from processing conditions
- Multi-parametric analysis: Assesses both fluid properties (rheological behavior) and molecular changes (protein structural dynamics) in an integrated platform
- Validated across diverse biofluids: Previously demonstrated with protein blends (gelatin, ECM), purified protein suspensions (fibrinogen), polysaccharides (alginate, agarose), synthetic macromolecules (PEG, dextran), and shear-thinning 3D printing bioinks
- Complementary characterization: Designed to integrate with DSC and TGA analysis for evaluating glass transitions and moisture content in protein solutions
Technology readiness level
The microrheology technique has been developed and validated across an array of biofluids and applications, including evaluation of shear-thinning bioinks for extrusion-based 3D printing. Current development efforts focus on adapting the platform for plant protein suspensions, with planned validation including screening against static and dynamic controls, comparison to conventional rheology methods, and scaling from microscale observations to bulk processing evaluation. The platform represents a technology at the validation and adaptation stage, ready for collaborative development with industry partners in the plant protein processing space.
About University of Wyoming
A comprehensive public land‑grant university serving Wyoming from its Laramie campus and regional sites. Industry engages through co‑located high‑bay and pilot‑scale facilities, field stations across the state, and an incubator network that provides mentorship and startup space. A partnership with a national supercomputing center in Cheyenne enables advanced modeling, visualization, and large‑dataset workflows, while the extension network connects companies to talent and end users in every county. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, DOE, USDA, and NIH, alongside state and industry collaboration. A dedicated technology transfer office advises on IP, licensing, and commercialization.
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