Non-destructive Insect Performance Monitoring via Reflectance Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the growth of live insects and the efficiency of sorting and feeding equipment are manual, time-consuming, and prone to errors, making them unsuitable for industrial-scale insect rearing.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive method involving irradiation of the insect rearing medium with light across specific wavelengths (420 nm to 2500 nm), collection of the reflected light to obtain a reflectance spectrum, and correlation of this spectrum with quantitative performance indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used for monitoring insect growth and equipment efficiency, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity is low and measurement precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting and visual inspection with an automated optical measurement system. A sensor captures images of insects in the rearing container, and image processing algorithms automatically count individuals and calculate performance indicators, eliminating the need for manual intervention while significantly improving productivity and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If manual sorting and counting methods are used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision is insufficient and insects may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the insect population in the rearing container. Instead of physically handling or manipulating insects, the system captures their visual representation through imaging, processes this copy computationally to count and measure individuals, thereby achieving high measurement precision without physical contact that could damage the insects.
3Measurement precision
If automated monitoring systems are implemented, then productivity and measurement precision improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional integrated system where a single automated apparatus performs multiple tasks: capturing images of insects, processing images to count individuals, calculating performance indicators, and monitoring equipment efficiency. This universal system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices, improving measurement precision while controlling overall device complexity through functional integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for precise and automated determination of performance indicators with low uncertainty, enabling effective monitoring of insect growth and equipment efficiency without damaging the insects.
Implementation Method 1
a step of irradiating the complex medium including the population of live insects with a light including one or more wavelengths comprised in a range going from 420 nm to 2500 nm, a step of collecting the light reflected by the complex medium in order to obtain a reflectance spectrum of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a non-destructive method for quantitatively determining at least one performance indicator in rearing a population of live insects in a complex medium, the method comprising the following steps: (i) a step of irradiating the complex medium comprising the population of live insects with a light comprising one or more wavelengths within a range from 420 nm to 2500 nm, (ii) a step of collecting the light reflected by the complex medium to obtain a reflectance spectrum of the medium; and (iii) a step of correlating said spectrum with a quantitative value of at least one performance indicator. The present invention also relates to the uses of the method and to the use of a spectrophotometer to quantitatively determine at least one performance indicator of a population of live insects in a complex medium.