The three requests are the latest to appear on the G-Win platform – an online network through which General Mills looks for new technologies from outside its own R&D team.
Shielding food from microwave energy
The latest is a call for “next generation” packaging materials that can shield food from microwave energy. General Mills said metal foil overwraps on paperboard packaging are typically used for this purpose but it is on the lookout for new alternatives.
Printed material that reflects microwaves like metal foil or novel reflective materials were listed as possible approaches.
Preventing heat transfer in multi-layer foods
The second request is for a new technology that blocks conductive heat transfer between food product layers.
General Mills said it wants to retain the temperature between two layers in a multi-layer food product when one is heated to 100-120oF and the other, originally frozen at 0oF, is not directly heated.
The solution, which could be an edible conductive heat barrier or an inedible and removable conductive heat barrier, must be able to maintain a 100oF temperature difference between the layers for 5 minutes.
Edible materials that reflect microwaves
The third request on G-Win is for edible materials with properties that reflect microwave radiation rather than transmit or absorb it.
General Mills said this could be achieved by manipulating food geometry or manipulating food composition to modify its microwave properties.
For further details on the criteria for possible proposals and information on the submission process, please click here.
General Mills is on the look-out for fully formed solutions rather than ideas. A joint venture, a supply agreement and investment are among the possible outcomes of a successful proposal.