Grant: Engage Grants for Universities

While spirits for cocktails continue to be mass produced by large distilleries, small businesses throughout_x000D_ Canadian towns and cities are increasingly recognized for their ability to bring innovative new tastes and ideas_x000D_ to market. Victoria Distillers is in the process of developing a gin that is coloured from natural substances in_x000D_ the form of flower petals. In addition to appealing to consumers based on the colour alone, they are seeking a_x000D_ novel effect in the form of a reversible colour change when the spirit is incorporated in a variety of cocktails._x000D_ There are challenges in achieving the initial product due to the seasonal and batch variation of the flowers._x000D_ Furthermore, the conditions over which the colour change occurs puts additional demands on the tolerances of_x000D_ the process. This proposed collaboration with the Hore group at the University of Victoria will enable the_x000D_ development of real-time monitoring protocols, including diagnostic and control software, that will be_x000D_ implemented in the distillery. In addition to enabling a new product to be brought to market, this project_x000D_ provides opportunity for training students, and interaction between researchers and local industry.