FoodAuthent – Developing a System for Food Authenticity by Collecting, Analyzing and Utilizing Product Data

The research project FoodAuthent aims at providing the technical framework and incentives for the routine use of “fingerprinting” to secure and monitor food quality. The planned system captures, analyses and processes data on the chemical fingerprint of food and can prove its authenticity. For this purpose, cloud-based fingerprinting databases are combined with methods of data analysis and batch-specific product information. The project focuses on proof of origin and fraud detection of food as well as on analytical methods for the product categories cheese, oil and spirits

Characterization of a CH planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging system using a kHz-rate multimode-pumped optical parametric oscillator

The performance characteristics of a new CH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging system composed of a kHz-rate multimode-pumped optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and high-speed intensified CMOS camera are investigated in laminar and turbulent CH4-H2-air flames. A multi-channel Nd:YAG cluster that produces up to 225 mJ at 355 nm with multiple-pulse spacing of 100 μs (corresponding to 10 kHz) is used to pump an OPO to produce up to 6 mJ at 431 nm for direct excitation of the A-X (0, 0) band of the CH radical. Single-shot signal-to-noise ratios of 82∶1 and 7.5∶1 are recorded in laminar premixed flames relative to noise in the background and within the flame layer, respectively. The spatial resolution and image quality are sufficient to accurately measure the CH layer thickness of ∼0.4 mm while imaging the detailed evolution of turbulent flame structures over a 20 mm span. Background interferences due to polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons and Rayleigh scattering are minimized and, along with signal linearity, allow semi-quantitative analysis of CH signals on a shot-to-shot basis. The effects of design features, such as cavity finesse and passive injection seeding, on conversion efficiency, stability, and linewidth of the OPO output are also discussed

The surface science of quasicrystals

The surfaces of quasicrystals have been extensively studied since about 1990. In this paper we review work on the structure and morphology of clean surfaces, and their electronic and phonon structure. We also describe progress in adsorption and epitaxy studies. The paper is illustrated throughout with examples from the literature. We offer some reflections on the wider impact of this body of work and anticipate areas for future development. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version

The unusual electronic structure of the "pseudo-ladder" compound CaCu2O3

Experimental and theoretical studies of the unoccupied electronic structure of CaCu2O3 single crystals have been performed using polarization-dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy and band structure calculations. The measured hole distribution shows an unusual large number of holes in orbitals parallel to the interlayer direction which is in agreement with the theoretical analysis. CaCu2O3 deviates significantly from the standard pd-sigma cuprate picture. The corresponding strong interlayer exchange is responsible for the missing spin gap generic for other two-leg ladder cuprates.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures include

Evidence for short range orbital order in paramagnetic insulating (Al,V)_2O_3

The local structure of (Al_0.06V_0.94)_2O_3 in the paramagnetic insulating (PI) and antiferromagnetically ordered insulating (AFI) phase has been investigated using hard and soft x-ray absorption techniques. It is shown that: 1) on a local scale, the symmetry of the vanadium sites in both the PI and the AFI phase is the same; and 2) the vanadium 3d - oxygen 2p hybridization, as gauged by the oxygen 1s absorption edge, is the same for both phases, but distinctly different from the paramagnetic metallic phase of pure V_2O_3. These findings can be understood in the context of a recently proposed model which relates the long range monoclinic distortion of the antiferromagnetically ordered state to orbital ordering, if orbital short range order in the PI phase is assumed. The measured anisotropy of the x-ray absorption spectra is discussed in relation to spin-polarized density functional calculations.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Modification of a commercial atomic force microscopy for low-noise, high-resolution frequency-modulation imaging in liquid environment

Rode S, Stark R, Lübbe J, et al. Modification of a commercial atomic force microscopy for low-noise, high-resolution frequency-modulation imaging in liquid environment. Review of Scientific Instruments. 2011;82(7): 73703.A key issue for high-resolution frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy imaging in liquids is minimizing the frequency noise, which requires a detailed analysis of the corresponding noise contributions. In this paper, we present a detailed description for modifying a commercial atomic force microscope (Bruker MultiMode V with Nanoscope V controller), aiming at atomic-resolution frequency-modulation imaging in ambient and in liquid environment. Care was taken to maintain the AFMs original stability and ease of operation. The new system builds upon an optimized light source, a new photodiode and an entirely new amplifier. Moreover, we introduce a home-built liquid cell and sample holder as well as a temperature-stabilized isolation chamber dedicated to low-noise imaging in liquids. The success of these modifications is measured by the reduction in the deflection sensor noise density from initially 100 fm/root Hz to around 10 fm/root Hz after modification. The performance of our instrument is demonstrated by atomically resolved images of calcite taken under liquid conditions. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3606399

Enabling Transparency in Meat Supply Chains: tracking & tracing for supply chain partners, consumers and authorities

This paper discusses a new system that enables meat supply chain stakeholders and regulators or authorities to track and trace and – at the same time – allows meat consumers to use their smartphone (or internet) to get immediate and direct access to all information on the specific meat item they see at the butcher or in the supermarket. This meat transparency system follows meat through the supply chain and stores its history. Apps help supply chain partners to upload the data they want or have to share and apps help them, authorities and consumers to get the stored history in a format that fits the intended user. As the system is based on the international EPCIS standard, roll-out of the meat transparency system to other supply chains (other types of meat, other types of food and other countries) is easy and straight forward

Efficient Transparency in Meat Supply Chains with IT-Standards: EPCIS based Tracking & Tracing for Business Partners, Consumers and Authorities

How can the future agri-food business be made more efficient, transparent and safe? This article on a new MIP meat transparency system describes a future system aiming for an efficient transparency in meat supply chains with ITstandards. The shape of the new system will be highlighted on the background of preliminary ICT solutions and the recent developments in the FIspace project. The core of the supply chain wide transparency is built upon the EPCIS standard from GS1 which enables transparency in the cloud for all stakeholders. Not only the prerequisites but also the benefits from using such a standardized solution are explained for the different user groups. The article closes with an outlook to the further improvements and the expanded usage with new funding by the EU