Local Milk Analyzer

A leading company in Dairy Products is looking for collaborators to manufacture a milk analyzer, made mostly of locally-available inexpensive components, to encourage the local industry and open new markets for Egyptian technological devices.

An invitation to Chemists, bioanalysts, and biomedical Engineers to design a cost-efficient milk analyzer to measures different milk characteristics that are critical indicators of freshness and hygienic status with a cost range:11,000 to 14,000 EGP for customer use.

The winner(s) will get a reward of 35,000 EGP provided by the USAID's SEED Project to manufacture the device in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in addition to further support to commercialize their solution.

The Problem

Dairy factories tend to import many technological devices needed in the production and processing of milk and its products, including milk analyzers, as it is not available locally. However, exported devices are expensive, experience long down-times resulting from the shortage in spare parts, and can be complicated to use by local workers.

Various instrumental technologies have been used in milk analyzers, namely, mid-infrared, ultrasonic and near infrared, where each have different pros and cons when it comes to price and accuracy. The ultrasonic technology is increasingly becoming the preferred choice for cheese makers and farmers given its affordable price and accepted accuracy.[1]

The Challenge:

To design a cost-efficient milk analyzer, using local components, to measure different milk characteristics that are critical indicators of freshness and hygienic status, thus ensuring the quality of milk delivered to dairy factories, and support boosting the local dairy. The submitted solution should fulfil the following criteria:

• Utilizes locally-manufactured and/or locally-available components (preference will be given to designs including higher percentages of local components);

• Utilizes an ultrasonic sensor as working principle;

• The cost should not exceed 15,000 EGP;

• Small size preferably (~15cm×15cm×40cm) and low weight about (~2 Kg);

• Sample volume (50 ml³);

• Mode selection for different types of milk, e.g. cow, buffalo, mixed etc.;

• Easy to use with a user-friendly interface;

• Quick release of results, ~ 30 sec/sample;

• Low-energy consumption;

• Can be connected to a computer to store the data for further use.

• Other features: Low-maintenance requirements, auto-calibration, easy cleaning;

• Measured Parameters should include the following:

Reward and Conditions:

The winner will receive a reward of 35,000 EGP provided by USAID's SEED Project to implement the solution, in collaboration with the Solution Seeker, according to the following conditions:

• The solution should meet the aforementioned criteria;
• The solution should be provided as a prototype design that serves as a proof of concept;
• The solution should include a clear plan of action including implementation stages, timeline, required tools/materials, estimated budget, and technical support required (if applicable);
• The reward will be given in installments, in accordance to milestones set by the innovator(s) according to their plan of action;

As per our platform Privacy Policy, in case the intellectual property rights are not registered, the innovator should include the minimum details required to judge the technical validity and feasibility of the solution without full technical specifications.

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