
Analyzing the data
A tattoo removal laser machine sends out a series of brief flashes of light each lasting about 10 nanoseconds. The flashes of light travel through a fiber optic cable wrapped on one end with paint-on liquid electrical tape. The cable’s end, submerged in the liquid, converts the laser light into sound. The sound is recorded by a microphone and the data is analyzed in real time by this computer.
Team develops new method of measuring the speed of sound in liquids
Ping! The popular 1990 film, The Hunt for Red October, helped introduce sonar technology on submarines to pop culture. Now, nearly 30 years later, a team of scientists at the University of Missouri is using this same sonar technology as inspiration to develop a rapid, inexpensive way to determine whether the drinking water is safe to consume. Based on their results, the scientists said they can determine changes in the physical properties of liquids.
“If the water isn’t drinkable, then our method will tell you that something is wrong with the water,” said Luis Polo-Parada, an associate professor of pharmacology and physiology in the MU School of Medicine and investigator at the MU Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center. “For instance, if a facility removes salt from sea water in order for water to be safe for drinking, our method can help alert the facility to potential changes such as an issue with the desalination process.”
This video is available for broadcast-quality download and re-use. Closed caption video is also available. For more information, contact Cailin Riley, [email protected]
The instrument is designed to analyze the quality of liquids using the photoacoustic effect, or the generation of sound waves after light is absorbed in a material. Drops of sea water, dairy milk or ionic liquids, a class of molten salt, were used in the study. The MU scientists believe this might be the first use of this technology to analyze such small liquid samples.
“Let’s use cymbals as an analogy,” said Gary A. Baker, associate professor of chemistry in the MU College of Arts and Science. “Sunlight causes the cymbals to heat up and create a constant ringing sound. Here, on a much smaller scale, we create the same effect by sending flashes of laser light at our tiny homemade cymbal, which is the tape, and measure the speed of the sound that is generated.”
The team is working to refine its recording methods and equipment to provide commercial industries with an inexpensive way to monitor the quality of liquids, such as the percentage of alcohol in alcoholic beverages, the amount of inferior oil in fraudulent olive oils, the quality of honey and the amount of sugar or sugar substitutes in soft drinks. They plan to publish updated results later this year.
How it works: A tattoo removal laser machine sends out a series of brief flashes of light each lasting about 10 nanoseconds. The flashes of light travel through a fiber optic cable wrapped on one end with paint-on liquid electrical tape. The cable’s end, submerged in the liquid, converts the laser light into sound. The sound is recorded by a microphone and the data is analyzed in real time.
Learn more: ‘Liquid forensics’ could lead to safer drinking water, MU study finds
The Latest on: Liquid forensics
[google_news title=”” keyword=”liquid forensics” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Liquid forensics
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Market Worth $6.73 Billion by 2030 - Exclusive Report by Meticulous Research®on January 17, 2023 at 7:00 am
Market by Product (Instruments [Systems, Detectors], Consumables [Columns, Tubes], Accessories, Software), Application (Forensics, Diagnostics), End User (Research, Pharmaceuticals) - Global Forecast ...
- Date-rape drugs could be detected in drinks using smartphoneson January 16, 2023 at 6:58 am
Researchers spotted the presence of Liquid Ecstasy in drinks using readily available chemicals and a free app.
- Date rape drugs could be discovered in drinks with a smartphone appon January 16, 2023 at 12:06 am
Scientists may have found a way that people can easily detect if a drink has been spiked (Picture: Getty) Date rape drugs could soon be detected in drinks using a smartphone app. Scientists have ...
- How to detect counterfeit substances using forensicson January 12, 2023 at 6:43 am
To many, the word “forensics” brings to mind high-profile court cases – real or fictional – whose outcome hinged on the ingenious analysis of a rogue hair or shoeprint left at the scene of ...
- QIAGEN (QGEN) Acquires the Forensics NGS Firm Verogenon January 11, 2023 at 7:19 pm
The acquisition of Verogen fortifies QIAGEN’s position in the fast-growing field of Human ID and forensics anchored by sample collection and preparation, genetic testing analysis and workflow ...
- Forensic Psychology, Criminology, or Criminal Psych: A Guideon January 11, 2023 at 10:51 am
I’m a professor. I teach forensic psychology, consult on ambiguous deaths, and specialize in serial killers. In the news recently, I’ve been described as a forensic psychologist, a ...
- Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography Market Growth Status, Share, Size, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast 2028on January 5, 2023 at 10:51 pm
The Global Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography Market is poised to register a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast ...
- Best liquid multivitaminon January 4, 2023 at 3:36 am
Which liquid multivitamin is best? If you need to supplement your diet with a multivitamin and you’re looking for a convenient alternative to tablets and capsules, taking a liquid multivitamin ...
via Bing News