INFORM April 2026

4 INFORM APRIL 2026 , VOL. 37, NO. 4

THIS MONTH IN INFORM

6 PROCESSING DIVISION SPOTLIGHTS The 2026 AOCS Alton E. Bailey Awardee, Jerry King, and Student Excellence Awardee, Yue Wang

8 FROM THE FRYER

TO THE WIRE: TECHNICAL CONNECTIONS AT THE 2026 AOCS ANNUAL MEETING Each year, AOCS Annual Meeting brings together scientists, technical experts, and industry leaders to exchange ideas, shape analytical standards, and strengthen the global fats and oils community.

12 On the Cover THE RISE OF AI‑ASSISTED PROCESS AUTOMATION AI tools are being applied across every stage of edible oil production. Read about the latest real-time automation and sensor-integrated AI that optimize process parameters, provide virtual testing, or characterize feedstocks. AI is speeding up innovation, accelerating time-to-market, and saving energy resources, creating efficiency, sustainability, and profitability for the modern processing plant.