Wireless solid-liquid state transition sensor for ice cream quality monitoring
This innovative sensor uses wireless technology to detect the solid-liquid state transition in ice cream, providing critical insights into thawing events that affect texture and taste. It enhances digital twins by offering non-invasive monitoring across the cold chain.
Overview
The wireless solid-liquid state transition sensor is a cutting-edge innovation designed to enhance ice cream quality monitoring. Traditional temperature sensors fall short in detecting phase changes due to latent heat, but this novel sensor overcomes that limitation by detecting thawing events in ice cream through sealed containers. By using ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless radios, it provides critical insights into storage conditions and product quality, offering a non-invasive solution that supports the entire cold chain from manufacturing to consumer-facing refrigerators.
Technical specifications
This sensor leverages ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless radios to analyze signal reflections, which are significantly altered by the solid-liquid state of the ice cream. The reflections provide data on changes in complex permittivity, allowing for accurate detection of phase transitions without direct contact. This capability is crucial in maintaining the texture and taste integrity of ice cream during storage and transport. The sensor is straightforward to integrate into existing refrigeration systems and is poised to revolutionize digital twin technologies by supplying physics-based inputs to machine learning models.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 4, this sensor has been validated in laboratory settings and on frozen food thawing events. Future validation steps include technical tests at various temperatures, trials with different ice cream types, and consumer feedback on texture and quality. Data from these tests will enhance machine learning models to predict consumer-perceived quality based on wireless reflection patterns.
About Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology is a large, technology‑focused public research university in Atlanta with a strong applied research culture. Industry engages through the Georgia Tech Research Institute for contract R&D, a Midtown innovation district with co‑located corporate labs, and a statewide manufacturing extension to support scale‑up. A long‑standing partnership with a major academic medical center enables clinical translation, and a large co‑op program delivers a steady talent pipeline. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, DoD, and NASA. Technology commercialization is managed by the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, with dedicated licensing, corporate contracting, and startup support.
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