Fluorescence and Raman Spectroscopy for
Scaled-Down in Situ Product Monitoring

Member: North Carolina State University

Year launched: 2023 - 2026

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a pioneering new model to predict fermentation outcomes, like biomass and product yield, across different production scales. This makes biomanufacturing more efficient and cost-effective by reducing the need for costly trial-and-error during scale-up.

The team used scaled-down microbioreactors, real-time inline monitoring of fermentation tanks using Raman spectral sensors, and statistical modeling to develop a framework that other companies can adapt for faster, more confident scale-up runs.

This work addresses a long-standing challenge in bioindustrial manufacturing: unpredictable scale-up performance when transitioning from bench- to pilot-scale fermentation. The processes and frameworks developed by NCSU can apply to a broad set of fermentations in which Raman sensors are compatible, including products like biofuels, organic acids, amino acids, and bioplastics.

Members can access resources from this project, including a microbioreactor data set, a report on a validated scale-down process, Raman spectra datasets with accompanying process data, batch-level multivariate models for each of the datasets, and technical bulletins on Raman and scale-down.

Funding source: U.S. Department of Defense