[China Instrument Network Instrument Development] It is well-known that fruits are susceptible to mildew and deterioration in long-distance transportation. Therefore, the fruits are generally chilled at low temperatures during transportation. Although most fruit transport containers already have temperature sensors, they only measure the temperature inside the container, not the fruit itself.
In order to obtain this data, workers usually have to open a box, remove a fruit, and measure the surface temperature with an instrument. This method not only destroys specific fruits, but also the measured data may not be accurate. Now scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Materials Testing and Development (EMPA) have developed a fruit-shaped temperature sensor that can even “copy†the size, shape, and structure of fruit.
The sensor developed by the EMPA Institute can be put directly into fruit. This inexpensive device is printed in 3D according to the shape and size of the fruit required, consisting of an electronic sensor and a mixture of water, carbohydrates and polystyrene, the ratio of which simulates a specific type of fruit. So far, researchers have produced sensors that mimic Braeburn and Jonagold apples, as well as Kent mangoes, oranges, and Cavendish bananas.
At present, these sensors are used to record data. During the transport of fruit, this sensor can wirelessly transmit data and warn shippers before the fruit begins to rot.
(Original title: Fruit-shaped sensors will be able to detect the storage temperature of fruits)