The research activities focus on two main areas:
- the interaction of electromagnetic properties, particularly electrical and dielectric behaviors, for assessing the response of agri-food products under various factors such as storage conditions, production processes, or innovative treatments. A significant applied aspect of this research is the development of measurement systems for the real-time monitoring of quality parameters in agri-food products. These systems are also used in the set-up of cost-effective, non-destructive, and/or non-contact prototypes for in-field parameter detection or for subsequent application in food plants.
- the study of the physical properties of agri-food materials, aimed at understanding how the state of matter affects product stability depending on storage conditions, production processes, or the presence of anomalies in raw materials. Although organic molecules may exhibit similar chemical compositions, their solid (crystalline, glassy, or amorphous) and liquid structures can undergo phase or state transitions and display differences in structural organization. Accordingly, these differences result in diverse physical properties, such as solubility, melting point, dissolution rate, hygroscopicity, and overall stability. These aspects are particularly critical in the production, storage, and stability of biological products.
