Distributed UV and Near Infra-Red and Fluorescence sensing system for real time monitoring of food quality and contamination and process control

由于现有技术及其成本，迄今为止尚未实现在加工过程中测量和管理谷物碾磨质量。该项目旨在开发近红外和紫外线传感器，这些传感器将是准确的和具有成本效益的，这将使蛋白质，水分和污染物（如霉菌毒素）以及其他关键参数的过程控制能够被真实的测量。拟议的项目将利用光子技术开发一种创新的解决方案，以取代传统的技术。这种方法也为集成到过程控制系统中提供了机会，使研磨过程更高效，提高产量，更具成本效益。近红外（NIR）光谱是用于确定面粉等食品的物理特性和质量的主要技术，也可应用于处理粉末产品（如聚合物）的工业部门。紫外荧光光谱法用于检测潜在有害真菌毒素的存在。

Measuring and managing quality in grain milling while processing has to date not been achieved due to the available technologies and their cost. The project seeks to develop Near Infra-Red and UV Fluoresence sensors that will be accurate and cost effective, which will enable in-process control of protein, moisture and contaminants such as mycotoxins and other key parameters to be measured in real time.The proposed project will utilise photonic technology to develop an innovative solution to replace conventional technologies. This approach also opens opportunities for integration into process control systems making the milling process more efficient, improving yields and more cost effective.Near Infra-Red (NIR) spectroscopy is the principle technology used to determine the physical properties and quality of foodstuffs such as flour, and can also be applied to industrial sectors handling powdered products, such as polymers. UV Fluorescence Spectroscopy is being used to detect the presence of potentially harmful mycotoxins.