Satake Centre for Grain Process
Engineering 
Dr Robert Satake (pictured
right), President of the Satake Corporation, opening the centre's new laboratories on 12th
June 1996, at the invitation of UMIST Vice Chancellor, Professor Bob Boucher.
The Centre performs process
engineering research in three areas: Primary Processing of Cereals (e.g. flour milling);
Secondary Processing of Cereals (e.g. bread making); and Novel Uses of Cereal based on
fermentation technology. Current projects include studying wheat breakage during roller
milling, aeration during bread dough mixing, cereal-based probiotic fermented drinks, and
the development of a generic cereal-based fermentation medium for production of non-food
products. 
Recently the initial 'pump priming' donation has been followed up by
a further grant to appoint Project Officers in each of three areas, to develop and
co-ordinate research. Research papers have been presented at conferences around the world,
including the USA, France, Spain and Austria. The Centre has also organised conferences
including, Cereals: Novel Uses and Processes and Bubbles in Food, which
have attracted a world-wide participation and resulted in published books.
Headed by
Professor Colin Webb, a chartered engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Chemical
Engineers and International Academy of Food Science and Technology, the Satake Centre for
Grain Process Engineering performs post-graduate and post doctoral research and runs a
wide range of industrial short courses, It is defining and establishing new directions for
cereal processing research,with contribution to technology both here in Manchester and in
the United States, Chairman Robert Satake was awarded and honorary doctorate of
engineering which he received from UMIST's Chancellor, Professor Sir Roland Smith, in June
1996.
The recent growth
of the University of Manchester means that efforts to increase the influence
of the department on the research world can only likewise feel the benefit of
belonging to one of the worlds great institutions.
Click here to go to
the University of Manchester website
