Automation System for Feeding Unpackaged Eggs to an Avian Flu Thermal Inactivation System
Problem statement
The United States consumes large amounts of eggs annually; thus, it is incredibly important that eggs consumed are safe. Avian flu has become a significant concern and issue recently with outbreaks affecting large areas of the United States. When a flock becomes infected all chickens and eggs must be destroyed in a safe manner to avoid spreading avian flu to other flocks. This process is extremely time and money intensive with current methods requiring chicken farms to pay for and ship millions of infected eggs to landfills where they can be destroyed. The most recent significant outbreak of Avian Influenza resulted in 43 million chicken deaths, costing over $850 million [1]. Throughout the response, the USDA rerouted limited resources to ensure the containment of the outbreak, including 3,400 personnel at the height of response operations [1]. Avian flu outbreaks such as the 2015 outbreak effect more than just the farmers and government, local areas and consumers of eggs see disruptions to daily life and higher prices in grocery stores [2]. Locals close to infected farms are also at risk of contamination effecting not just farms, but communities as a whole. In addition to the large monetary and time cost there are also concerns that the chicken eggs are not being returned to the land. Methods of sterilizing eggs with avian flu are currently being developed, but these methods require a means of transporting the eggs to a sterilization process from the production lines. We intend to develop a solution for our client that would enable farmers to transport eggs directly off of the chicken coup egg production line to an onsite oven capable of sterilizing the eggs so that they can be used as fertilizer at the farms and return the chicken eggs to the land. [1] “Final Report for the 2014–2015 Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the United States.” United States Department of Agriculture, Aug. 11, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/media/document/2086/file [2] “Avian influenza outbreaks reduced egg production, driving prices to record highs in 2022.” Accessed: Sep. 26, 2024. [Online]. Available: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=105576
Team members 
Mary Castellini – facilitator
Finn Tait – communicator
Ryan Tatelbaum – accountant
Joseph Ullman – admin
Client
Prof. Cheadle