Engineered packaging and distribution
Pallets wrapped for transport
Our mission is to provide a local, national and international focus for scientific research aimed at developing environmentally sound and optimised solutions to support the distribution of products and produce. In particular:
- Food security
- Food packaging
- Sustainable packaging
- Optimised and engineered protective packaging
- Packaging waste reduction
- Post-harvest technologies
- Biodegradable and antimicrobial packaging
- Environmental and distribution hazards
On this page
Research areas
The Engineered Packaging and Distribution Research Group has strong links with the Institute for Sustainability and Innovation, and the Advanced Food Systems Research Unit, and the College of Engineering & Science with expertise in:
- Environmental shock and vibration
- Distribution dynamics
- Material characterisation
- Protective packaging
- Polymer chemistry
- Analytical chemistry
- Active food packaging (modified atmosphere, antimicrobials)
- Biodegradable polymers
- Post-harvest technologies
Research facilities
The research group has a number of laboratories with specialised equipment to facilitate research collaborations and industry testing. The laboratories are located at Footscray Park Campus and Werribee Campus. These laboratories include:
Environmental and Distribution Dynamics Laboratory
- large vibration table for transportation simulation
- programmable shock generator
- large compression testing machine
- free-fall drop tester
- cushion tester
- environmental chambers
- environmental data recorders
Dynamics Research Laboratory
Vibration testing packaged bottles
The dynamics research laboratory is equipped for research including:
- vibrations shakers
- universal testing machines
- signal analysers
- data recorders
- high-speed camera
- thermal imaging camera
- a wide range of sensors and transducers
Materials Engineering Laboratory
The material engineering laboratory houses specialised equipment including:
- Universal Testing Machines with specialised high-strain non-contact extensometer for polymers
- Hardness Testing Machines
- Dynamic Mechanical Analyser
- A variety of ovens and incubators
Polymer Research Laboratory
Compression testing boxes
Our polymer research laboratory is furnished with equipment for:
- thermal analysis of materials
- polymer molecular weight
- compression moulding press
- programmable ovens
Analytical Instrument Laboratories
Shock testing oil container
The analytical instrument laboratory provides a range of equipment for materials characterisation and testing including:
- infrared and fluorescence spectrophotometers
- gas and liquid chromatographs
- elemental analysis
- scanning electron microscope
Food Research Laboratory
The food research laboratory is equipped with instrumentation including:
- rheometer
- zetasizer
- texture analyser
- universal testing machine
Capabilities statement
View the Engineered packaging and distribution capabilities statement for a brief overview of our research focus, expertise, facilities and resources, track record, profile and contact information.
Current research projects
The Engineered Packaging and Distribution research group is currently undertaking a diverse range of projects in collaboration with industry partners:
- The development of statistical models for the characterisation of distribution vibrations.
- The development of sophisticated techniques for the analysis and simulation of transport vibrations.
- The development of inexpensive and effective packaging materials.
- The development of techniques for the performance characterisation of environmentally friendly materials.
- The development of novel methods for determining the progression of damage in packaging elements during distribution.
- The use of strain mapping (using High-speed Digital Image Correlation) to optimise cushioning systems for impact absorption.
- The development of sophisticated post-harvest technologies such as new engineering procedures to design hydrocoolers.
- The design and implementation of a novel solar powered grain cooling system.
- Exploiting the principles of multiphysics and omniscience to improve the storage, packaging and transportation of foodstuffs.
- Developing information technology systems to enable groups of people to contribute to joint decision making in the distribution and handling industries.
- The development of testing facilities to measure biodegradability of packaging materials.
- The development of methods of quality assessment of fresh and processed produce.
News and Events
Members of the Engineered Packaging and Distribution Research Group regularly facilitate and participate in a variety of both academic and Industry forums. Our research work extends to interstate and overseas conferences and placements for members to actively contribute to collaborative research and information exchange.
Our researchers
| Name | Phone and email | Research interests |
|---|---|---|
|
Associate Professor Vincent Rouillard Group Leader |
+61 3 9919 4602 vincent.rouillard@vu.edu.au |
Analysis and synthesis of random processes with applications in environmental shock and vibrations, pavement topography, transport dynamics and protective packaging. |
|
Dr Marlene Cran Deputy Leader |
+61 3 9919 7642 marlene.cran@vu.edu.au |
Polymer systems including the development of antimicrobial systems for food packaging. Marlene is also involved with the development of biodegradability tests for polymer packaging. |
| Professor Stephen Bigger | +61 3 9919 2959 stephen.bigger@vu.edu.au |
Polymer degradation and stabilisation with numerous commissioned research and consultancy assignments for both government and industry. |
| Dr Matthew Lamb | +61 3 9919 5591 matthew.lamb@vu.edu.au |
Mechanical Vibrations, Packaging Dynamics and Structural Integrity Assessment.
|
| Associate Professor Mary Millikan | +61 3 9919 8278 mary.milllikan@vu.edu.au |
Analytical chemistry applied to food and agricultural products; Non-destructive analyses of products by Near Infrared Spectroscopy, such as shelf-life studies of dried fruit. |
| Dr Anthony J Parker | +61 3 9919 4978 anthony.parker@vu.edu.au |
Dynamic behaviour of protective packaging systems and in the development of novel, environmentally-friendly cushioning materials. |
| Associate Professor Michael A Sek | +61 3 9919 4205 michael.sek@vu.edu.au |
Engineering optimisation of sustainable protective packaging for transportation including road-vehicle-cargo-interaction. |
| Professor Graham Thorpe | +61 3 9919 4964 graham.thorpe@vu.edu.au |
Postharvest applications that spans fundamental issues of engineering science that govern heat and mass transfer in stored produce, through to applying these principles to design postharvest treatments and ultimately to the implementation of commercial systems. |
Our research students
Research projects by our current postgraduate students include:
| Name | Thesis topic |
|---|---|
| Daniel Ainalis (PhD) | Estimating vehicle dynamic characteristics from in-service response data. |
| Kuorwel Kuorwel (PhD) | Incorporation of natural antimicrobial agents into starch-based material for food packaging. |
| Nyamjav Terbish (Masters) | Improving the life of air filters operating in dusty environments. |
| Michael Long (Masters) | Investigation of pitch, roll and heave motion of transport vehicles. |
| Mohammad Aqeel Nazzal Saraireh (PhD) | Heat transfer and condensation from humid air in a compact heat exchanger. |
Research publications
Members of the Engineered Packaging and Distribution Research Group continue to publish their work in a broad range of scholarly journals and in proceedings of international learned conferences. Our recent publications are available.
Contact us
Associate Professor Vincent Rouillard
Leader, Engineered Packaging and Distribution Research Group
Phone: +61 3 9919 4602
Email: vincent.rouillard@vu.edu.au
Dr Marlene Cran
Deputy Leader
Phone: +61 3 9919 7642
Email: marlene.cran@vu.edu.au