Thermocouples are a popular type of temperature sensor due to their ruggedness, relatively low price, wide temperature range, and long-term stability. The Seebeck effect discussed in the previous article is the underlying principle that governs the thermocouple operation. The Seebeck effect describes how a temperature difference (ΔT) between the two ends of a metal wire…
The food and beverage industry is undergoing a digital transformation. From large corporations to smaller, more flexible brands, companies are using digital technologies to collect more data regarding their workflow processes and to ensure safety and quality in food processing, packaging, and distribution. They use this information to transform their production systems and redefine how…
Why is Monitoring Grain Moisture Important?Feeding the growing global population requires constant food quality and safety monitoring to ensure food security. Grain is the most commonly consumed food product, feeding both humans and livestock. Moisture can ruin entire stocks of grain if not monitored correctly. Even if it appears dry on the surface, moisture can…
Every day food is thrown away and squandered by the lorry-load. EU researchers are developing ways to cut waste—of both food and its packaging. Dr. Anastasia Ktenioudaki has been tracking strawberries in Ireland with high-tech sensors. She was part of a recent European research project to reduce the enormous amount of fresh food that gets…
When temperatures begin to fluctuate and rise as we approach the spring and summer months, keeping grain cool and dry is the best defense against insect activity and mold. Ken Hellevang, a grain storage expert and Extension agricultural engineer for the North Dakota State University Extension Service, suggests checking stored grain every two weeks at…
Measuring temperature with electronic sensing devices is advantageous as even the smallest change in degree can be detected. In this article, two different temperature sensor types, contact and non-contact, are compared, discussing the differences in their working principle and the advantages of each temperature sensor. Types of Temperature ProbesContact temperature sensors rely on physical contact…
An infrared thermometer is a device that measures the infrared radiation – a type of electromagnetic radiation below the visible spectrum of light – emitted by an object. The most basic design of infrared thermometers consists of a lens to focus the infrared thermal radiation onto a detector, which converts the radiant energy into an…
Cryopreservation and CellsBy definition, cryopreservation refers to the utilization of extremely low temperatures to preserve the structural and functional integrity of cells and tissues as they transition from the aqueous phase to the solid phase. Once frozen, cryopreserved cells and tissues can remain stable, particularly when kept either at -80 °C or in liquid nitrogen…
As innovations and digital disruptions change the market dynamics of industries globally, automation has emerged as a critical cog in diverse domains. The automation of various processes promotes the utmost efficiency in production, in addition to ensuring higher energy efficiency, decreased use of raw material and reduced dependence on human resources, leading to a drop…
The Texan summer is long and hot. This year, particularly so. In some places, people have taken refuge in public libraries just to enjoy the air conditioning. And among those closely tracking the weather, besides overworked meteorologists, is a whiskey distillery in downtown Waco. Perched on the roof of Balcones Distillery is a complicated bundle…