R. Farm Machine Systems

Farm Machine Systems


Research Interests

The academic members carry out theoretical and applied research in areas of great interest for national and international agricultural applications. The conducted research is predominately carried out in the context of national and international founded Research Programs. In addition to the previous activities, Ph.D. Dissertations and M.Sc (M.Eng), B.Sc (B.Eng)  Theses are also supervised by the members of the laboratory. The results from the scientific activity are presented at international and Greek peer–reviewed Journals as well as at national and international Conferences.

The main scientific fields of research are:

Farm machine systems

  • Design of Farm machine systems
  • Self–propelled vehicles and GPS
  • Precision farming
  • Robotic applications in agriculture
  • Pumps and pumping systems
  • Installations for water purification
  • Applications of Tribology in Farm machine systems
  • Mechanical Harvesting of various agricultural products

Automation and Information Systems in Agriculture

  • Control systems and process control
  • Greenhouse environmental control
  • Nutrition control in hydroponics
  • Environmental control of animal housing
  • Management of aquaculture enterprises
  • Remote–management of irrigation networks engaging telematics technology
  • Meteorological applications and data utilisation
  • Applications in Agriculture via Internet Protocol
  • Artificial intelligent Applications
  • Optimisation techniques in Agriculture
  • Development of multimedia applications in agriculture
  • Research and development of rational practices for agriculture certifications
  • Diagnostics – predictive systems
  • Applications of expert systems in constructive machinery
  • Inputs– outputs (energy balance) in energy cultivations

Storage of agricultural products

  • Physicochemical and mechanical properties of biological material
  • Cold storage of fruits, vegetables, Floral Crops and Nursery Stock
  • Methods of agricultural products storage implementing minimal processing
  • Controlled atmosphere storage
  • Modified atmosphere packaging
  • Ready–to–eat salads (Fruits & vegetables)
  • Precooling of fruits and vegetables
  • Development of postharvest criteria for cold stored agricultural products
  • Cold storage and aerated stores (management and maintenance)
  • Freezing of agricultural products (processing – quality)

Internal combustion engines & Cold production Machines – Energy saving

  • Power production systems
  • Energy analysis of machines and energy systems
  • Cooling circuits (single– and multi– stage), cooling systems, applications
  • Humidification – dehumidification systems
  • Artificial and sun drying of agricultural products
  • Heat pumps
  • Recovery, storage, upgrade of thermal energy
  • Rational use of energy

Renewable sources of energy

The activities in this area include many applications.

  • Biomass
    • Experimental energy crops, (sunflower, rapeseed, eucalyptus, miscanthus etc)
    • Study of the biomass potential for energy production in Greece and elsewhere.
    • Study of the methods of biomass processing for biofuels production (liquid, solid and gas fuels)
    • Usage and application of biofuels for energy production (heat and electricity).
  • Solar Energy
    • Experimental and theoretical study of solar collectors for heat and power production
    • Testing and application of various type photovoltaics (silicon, thin film). Testing of photovoltaic systems for water pumping or water desalination
  • Aeolian Energy
    • Study of small scale wind turbines for rural applications

More on Research may be found on www.renewables.aua.gr