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Spoiled food indicator

15.09.2020

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a food indicator in the form of Velcro from silk microneedles, which changes color when there are signs of spoilage of the product. To do this, just stick the indicator to the packaging or the product itself.

This will help avoid food poisoning and reduce food waste. The indicator microneedles are made from silk cocoon proteins and are designed to absorb product liquid. Two types of special ink available on the indicator change color when in contact with liquid. One ink is sensitive to a certain pH range and indicates whether the food has gone bad or not. And the second ink turns red when it detects pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli.

Scientists tested this simple method on a raw fish fillet, into which a solution contaminated with E. coli was injected. In less than a day, the indicator sensitive to bacteria changed color from blue to red - that is, this is a clear sign of infection in the fish. And after a few more hours, the pH-sensitive bio-ink also changed color, showing that the fish had gone bad.

Smart food sensors can prevent Salmonella outbreaks and also reduce food waste by showing consumers that expired foods are actually still good to eat.

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Getting electricity with the help of the shadow 11.06.2020

The new device uses the contrast between bright spots and shadows to create a current that can power small electronics.

Scientists at the National University of Singapore have created a device called a shadow-effect power generator by depositing an ultra-thin gold coating on silicon, a typical material for solar cells. As in a solar cell, light hitting silicon charges its electrons. The power generator produces an electric current when part of the device is in the shade.

Excited electrons jump from silicon to gold plating. With the shading of a part of the device, the voltage of the illuminated metal increases relative to the dark area, and the electrons in the generator flow from high to low voltage. Sending them through an external channel creates a current that can power a small gadget.

Using eight generators, the team ran the digital clock in low light. The device can also act as a sensor. When a remote-controlled car drove by, its shadow fell on a generator, creating electricity to turn on an LED.

The greater the contrast between light and dark, the more power the generator provides. So the team is working to improve the performance of the device by borrowing strategies from solar arrays to collect light. Increasing the light these generators absorb will allow them to make better use of shadows.

Someday, these generators could produce power in dark places, between skyscrapers, or even indoors.

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