The artificial fruit sensor looks like fruit, acts like fruit, and travels with the fruit, to guarantee and monitor temperature. It simulates the relevant fruit’s composition, and is the same size and shape. Once the cargo arrives, the data from the fruit sensor can be easily and quickly analyzed, which researchers hope to use to learn more information about the temperature inside the containers of fruit during transport. Any deliveries not meeting quality checks can use sensor data to trace back in the supply chain the point where things went pear-shaped (or otherwise poorly, as pears hopefully retain their shape).
To make the sensor, the fruit is first X-rayed, and a computer algorithm creates its average texture and shape. The exact composition of the fruit’s flesh is determined, through research and measurements, and simulated in the same ratio, with a mixture of polystyrene, water, and carbohydrates. Then, the mixture fills a 3D printed fruit-shaped sensor mold. Often, we hear objects described as being 3D printed that were in actuality just made using 3D printed molds, like deliciously detailed pieces of chocolate. We see 3D printed molds used often in the medical field, such as for a reconstructive cranioplasty surgery in Russia and 3D printed orbital eye socket molds. But the process is helpful for lots of other unique projects, from prototyping large wind turbine molds and 3D printed molds for monster crayons to benefit abused children, to 3D printed chess piece molds and making the perfect fishing lure…and now, 3D printed fruit sensor molds.
The researchers learned that the same sensor doesn’t work for all fruits, so they created different sensors for the Kent mango, oranges, the Jonagold and Braeburn apple varieties, and the Cavendish banana.
“We are developing separate sensors for each type of fruit, and even for different varieties,” said project leader Thijs Defraeye, with the Laboratory for Multiscale Studies in Building Physics.
Once the artificial piece of fruit is complete, the sensor is placed inside, and records its core temperature, along with other important data. These are not the first fruit core simulators, but according to Defraeye, the existing ones are not too accurate; for example, water-filled balls that contain a sensor.
Defraeye said, “We have conducted comparative tests. And our filling provided much more accurate data and simulated the behaviour of a real piece of fruit much more reliably at different temperatures.”
“However, our current fruit sensor cannot do that yet,” explained Defraeye. “And the price of the product would, of course, go up.”
But, partnering companies would receive more profits if more fruit could be supplied in perfect condition…seems like a win-win situation to me! Discuss in the Fruit Sensor forum at 3DPB.com.
[Source/Images: Empa]