Supercooling technology for extended shelf life of perishable foods
Revolutionary supercooling technology maintains food freshness by preventing ice formation, extending shelf life without compromising texture. Utilizes pulsed electric and magnetic fields to stabilize the supercooled state in various foods.
Overview
This innovative supercooling technology by Jun Innovations Inc. offers a groundbreaking solution to extend the shelf life of perishable foods without compromising their quality. By maintaining foods below their freezing point without forming ice, this method preserves the natural texture and freshness of items such as meats, fish, and fruits. The technology leverages pulsed electric fields and oscillating magnetic fields to stabilize the supercooled state, ensuring food remains in a liquid phase longer and enhancing the quality of subsequent ice formation.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes pulsed electric field (PEF) and oscillating magnetic field (OMF) to polarize water molecules and prevent ice nucleation.
- Proven efficacy in maintaining supercooled states for beef, salmon, pineapple, and mango at temperatures of -3°C to -6°C for up to two weeks.
- Planned development of an 18-liter chamber device for broad application, similar in size to a household microwave oven.
This technology is particularly beneficial for industries involved in food preservation and storage, offering a novel method to maintain food quality over extended periods without freezing.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 6, this supercooling technology has undergone extensive laboratory validation with various food products. Further development and optimization tasks are planned, including device scale-up and testing with diverse food materials to refine and prove the technology's applications in real-world settings.
About Jun Innovations Inc
Jun Innovations Inc. is a Honolulu-based startup that develops proprietary supercooling technology to preserve perishable materials without the formation of ice crystals. The company's technology utilizes a combination of pulsed electric and oscillating magnetic fields to re-orient and vibrate water molecules within a substance. By interrupting critical ice nucleation, this process allows food and biological samples to be maintained in a supercooled state at subzero temperatures, effectively preserving their original texture, taste, nutritional value, and cellular structure.
This innovation offers significant benefits for the food industry by extending the shelf life of products like meat, fish, and produce while eliminating thawing time for consumers. Beyond food preservation, the company is actively researching broader applications for its technology, including the improvement of probiotic manufacturing and potential uses in biomedical fields, such as vaccine storage and the extension of organ viability for transplantation. Founded by Dr. Soojin Jun, a professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the company focuses on developing commercially viable supercooling units and licensing its patented solutions to industry partners.
delivered to your inbox.