Portable fiber-optics-based sensor for real-time nutrient testing
A compact, low-cost fiber-optics-based sensor for real-time nutrient testing in fruits and vegetables. It offers high sensitivity and accuracy by measuring optical properties, providing valuable insights into food quality.
Overview
The portable fiber-optics-based sensor is an innovative solution designed for real-time nutrient testing in fruits and vegetables. Developed using a broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy system, it is capable of accurately detecting small changes in chromophore concentrations. This technology offers a compact, low-cost alternative to traditional non-invasive methods, requiring only a steady state light source, fiber optics, and two spectrometers. Its application in measuring the optical properties of produce can significantly enhance quality monitoring by providing detailed insights into pigment concentrations and chemical compositions.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy: Utilizes a wavelength range of 500-900 nm to detect chromophore concentration changes.
- Compact and cost-effective: Requires minimal equipment, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
- High sensitivity: More sensitive than time-resolved and spatially resolved methods for detecting changes in chromophore concentration.
- Versatile application: Applicable to various fruits and vegetables, measuring their natural pigments and chemical compositions non-invasively.
Development plan:
- Year 1: Extend the Monte Carlo model to a range of produce and modify the fiber optics probe for improved signal-to-noise ratio.
- Year 2: Test system performance on produce and measure absorption and scattering coefficients over a spectral range of 500–1000 nm.
Technology readiness level
This technology has reached TRL 5, indicating that it has been validated in a relevant environment, with ongoing development and testing planned to further enhance its applicability and performance in real-world settings.
About University of Alabama, Huntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public research university with a STEM-intensive profile and comprehensive academic breadth. Situated in Huntsville's federal and aerospace corridor, the campus sits alongside Cummings Research Park and near Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, enabling close collaboration with contractors, startups, and government labs. Industry engagement is embedded in sponsored research, experiential learning, and internship/co-op pathways, with work often carried out in shared or on-campus facilities near corporate R&D sites. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NASA, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation. A dedicated technology transfer office advances IP protection, licensing, and new venture formation in concert with the regional innovation ecosystem.
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