Students are asked to come up with an innovative idea regarding one of the challenges proposed by the Student Contest organizers. These challenges stem from actual problems and areas of improvement in the freeze-drying industry and R&D; many of them concern pharmaceuticals and probiotics, but food sustainability, innovative energy production process and eco-sustainable processses are some of the other fields of growing interest:

1. Energy Efficiency: Develop strategies to reduce energy consumption of the freeze-drying processes without compromising product quality.
2. Modeling and Simulation: On the use of machine learning-based predictive models to optimize process parameters for freeze-drying.
3. Continuous vs. Batch Processing: Compare the efficiency of continuous and batch processes in drying and freeze-drying, highlighting advantages and disadvantages.
4. Smart Freeze-Drying: Automated control system that adjusts parameters in real-time to improve quality and reduce process time.
5. Advanced Sensing: Integrate innovative PATs to monitor the product state in real-time during freeze-drying.
6. Imaging and AI: Develop an imaging analysis system to monitor ice formation and sublimation during the freeze-drying process.
7. Real-Time Moisture Detection & Product temperature monitoring: Design an innovative method for measuring residual moisture in freeze-dried products without damaging them.
8. 3D Printing & Drying: Explore the integration of 3D printing in the preparation of porous structures optimized for freeze-drying.