Revolutionary Sensor Enables Real-Time Spoilage Alerts on Food
CREDIT: Koç University
Food waste and food-borne diseases are among the most critical problems urban populations face today.
They contribute to greenhouse emissions tremendously and amplify economic and environmental costs. Since food spoilage remains the main reason for this waste, the circumstances of processing, transporting, and preserving food still need to be improved in line with current technological advancements. Current monitoring processes are conducted in laboratories and use expensive chromatographic devices. These not only require too much time but also excessive resources and qualified personnel. So, present methods unfortunately prove to be inefficient in today’s circumstances.
New research published in Nature Food Magazine presents a significant alternative to this process: A new user-friendly, cost-effective, and up-to-date sensor that can be applied on food directly and replace lab-monitoring. The 2 x 2 cm miniature wireless device introduced in the paper offers real-time measurement, is battery-free and smartphone-compatible. It is expected to be highly effective especially in high-protein foods such as beef, chicken, and fish.
The research was led by Dr. Emin ?stif (Molecular Biology and Genetics, Kadir Has University) and Asst. Prof. Levent Beker (Mechanical Engineering, Koç University) with the contribution of Prof. ?skender Y?lgör and Dr. Emel Y?lgör (Chemistry, Koç University), Asst. Prof. Ça?da? Da? (Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University) and Asst Prof. Hatice Ceylan Koydemir (Texas A&M University). While existing solutions focus on the change in color of food, this new device, for the first time, offers a capacitive measurement method and thus utilizes near-field communication (NFC) technology with power-free and wireless communication. The authors indicate that this eliminates major disadvantages encountered in resistive devices such as moisture sensitivity and incorrect data due to distance.
The invention will not only provide companies the opportunity of reducing costs but also help consumers tremendously. Once widely commercialized, the device will enable continuous monitoring on shelves and allow users to control freshness right before buying a product or even before consumption at home. This opportunity of on-demand spoilage analysis via mobile phones will ultimately help preventing food waste and food-borne diseases.
With its cost-effectiveness and accessibility, the authors hope to contribute to the greater struggle against global warming and greenhouse emissions more effectively and quickly. The following steps will be to focus on increasing the potential for commercialization of the product in the near future.
Original Article: Revolutionary sensor enables real-time spoilage alerts on food
More from: Koç University | Texas A&M University |
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Food spoilage sensor
- How accurate are food expiration dates?
Researchers at McMaster University hope to make expiration dates a thing of the past through a range of packaging and food testing technologies that signal whether products are spoiled or contaminated ...
- It may be time to eliminate the best-before date on food packaging, say smart packaging researchers
The inventors of a suite of tests that enable food packages to signal whether their contents are contaminated are working to bring producers and regulators together to get their inventions into ...
- 6 best fridge-freezers, tried and tested
We were particularly impressed with the “Freshsense” technology – a sensor system that regulates the fridge freezer’s temperature, minimising the risk of food spoilage. We found the layout ...
- Senoptica aims to raise €4m in funding to drive anti-food-waste technology
Irish company Senoptica is aiming to raise €4 million in funding to advance its sensor technology ... modified atmosphere (MAP) food packaging to help predict food spoilage and highlight any ...
- Food tech firm Senoptica receives approval from US FDA
The company, which is based out of Trinity College Dublin, has developed patented sensor technology ... helping all in the food supply chain become smarter about food spoilage,” he added.
Go deeper with Bing News on:
On-demand spoilage analysis
- 6 Ways Agritech can Revolutionise Grocery Aisles
By Diana Tenebe, Chief Operating Officer, FoodStuff StoreForget grocery drudgery. Imagine vibrant shelves overflowing with fresh produce, thanks to a digital revolution on the farm. Agritech tackles ...
- Ventilated Bulk Bags Market Set for Growth as Demand for Bulk Handling Solutions Surges | Says FMI
The global ventilated bulk bags market is anticipated to reach a valuation of US$ 24.6 billion in 2023, driven by technological advancements in bag design. The trend is expected to create new ...
- Industrial Refrigeration Systems Market Size Expansion to Drive Significant Revenues in the Future
Our research study on the Global Industrial Refrigeration Systems market for 2024-2032 offers a comprehensive analysis that is valuable regardless of a company’s size or income. The study delves into ...
- How Climate Change Activists Undermine The Energy Transition
The energy transition requires public support, but activists exaggerating the threat and downplaying the costs threaten that support.
- The 15 Best Movies on Redbox Free On Demand (May 2024)
Redbox, known best for its quick-and-easy rentals of new and classic movies, has also launched its own free streaming platform: Redbox Free On Demand. Following the strategy of its rental ...