Science Prize Honors Indiana Drink Box Creator

Science Prize Honors Indiana Drink Box Creator



November 2007 
 The state of Indiana has 
established a new science prize to recognize outstanding Hoosier 
scientists for their unique discoveries, research and inventions. 
The new Dr. Philip E. Nelson Innovation Prize is named in honor of the 
distinguished Purdue University scientist who was awarded the 2007 World 
Food Prize in October for his achievements in the field of food 
processing. 
Dr. Nelson is credited with developing the aseptic process to store fruits 
and vegetables in triple-layer sealed boxes to prevent post-harvest 
spoilage. 
Nelson developed the "bag in a box" technology to process large quantities 
of seasonal crops such as tomatoes and oranges for long-term storage and 
bulk transportation without losing nutritional value or taste. 
The packaged products can be stored over long periods of time at normal 
room temperatures without preservatives. 
Aseptic packages, also known as drink boxes, most often contain 
single-serve beverages, although a wide variety of aseptically-packaged 
food products now are available. 
The box walls are made of thin layers of paper, plastic, and aluminum that 
form a compact, lightweight beverage and liquid foods container tough 
enough for children and active adults. 

In 1991 the Institute of Food Technologists rated aseptic processing and 
packaging as the No. 1 innovation in food technology, ahead of juice 
concentrates, safe canning processes, freeze drying and food 
fortification. 
Nelson's award-winning innovations are present in nearly every country 
world in the world and have had a positive impact on the world food 
supply. 
During his more than 45 years at Purdue, Nelson was the university's first 
department head of food science and now is the Scholle Chair Professor in 
Food Processing. 
"The great scientist or inventor does far more to improve people's lives 
than the politicians, business leaders or entertainers who dominate the 
headlines," said Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, announcing the creation 
of the prize earlier this month. 
The governor said the Nelson Innovation Prize will recognize an Indiana 
scientist whose work goes beyond pure scientific research and leads to the 
creation of products or processes that revolutionize industry, inspire 
further scientific inquiry, and improve the quality of life. 
Recipients will be scientists with a unique combination of intellectual 
curiosity, scientific expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit. "It's time we 
lifted up and honored those Hoosiers whose scientific achievements will 
make us the great state we intend to be," he said. 
The prize will come with a cash award of $5,000, funded by the Indiana 
Economic Development Corporation Foundation. A panel of Indiana scientific 
researchers and entrepreneurs will work with the foundation to establish 
the selection criteria for the prize. 
"Dr. Nelson's work has transformed the global food industry and has 
allowed entrepreneurs to build successful businesses that use crops raised 
by farmers," said Purdue President France A. Córdova. "He is an 
outstanding example of the power of a university to turn discovery into 
benefits for others." 
The $250,000 award has been presented annually since 1986, when Nobel 
laureate Norman Borlaug created it. He envisioned it as agriculture's 
Nobel Prize equivalent. Nelson is the first winner cited for work in the 
post production area of agricultural research. 

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