Photoacoustic Texture Measurement for Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring texture, particularly in liquids and solids, are invasive, time-consuming, and lack correlation with human sensory experiences, leading to inaccurate and unreliable results in determining texture attributes like hardness, mouthfeel, and flavor balance in food and beverages.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive photoacoustic system using a laser to generate acoustic signals from liquids, which are then processed to create a quantitative model of texture attributes, correlating with expert panel scores for accurate and reliable measurements across a wide frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensory evaluation is used to assess texture, then accurate texture perception is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/sensory evaluation system with a photoacoustic measurement system. A laser probe directs laser energy at the liquid sample, generating photoacoustic signals that are detected and processed to provide quantitative texture measurements. This substitution eliminates the need for time-consuming sensory panels while maintaining measurement accuracy through objective instrumental detection of photoacoustic responses.
2Measurement precision
If invasive analytical methods are used to measure texture, then quantitative data is obtained, but the measurements do not correlate well with human sensory experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces photoacoustic signals as an intermediary between the laser energy and the liquid sample's texture properties. The laser energy is converted to acoustic signals through photoacoustic effects in the liquid, and these signals serve as a mediator that correlates both with the physical texture properties and with human sensory perception. This intermediary mechanism provides quantitative data that reliably reflects human sensory experiences.
3Measurement precision
If traditional texture analysis is used for liquids, then viscosity can be measured, but mouthfeel and other complex texture attributes cannot be accurately assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal photoacoustic measurement system that can assess multiple texture attributes simultaneously. The system measures not only viscosity but also mouthfeel, astringency, mouth coating, sweetness, and other complex texture attributes through comprehensive analysis of photoacoustic signal characteristics. This multi-functional approach allows a single instrument to perform various texture assessments that were previously requiring multiple different methods.
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
The system provides instant, accurate, and reliable quantitative measurements of texture attributes with high resolution and reproducibility, achieving correlations greater than 0.9 with qualitative sensory evaluations, reducing sample sizes and measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
A non-invasive photoacoustic system using a laser to generate acoustic signals from liquids
Data Source
AI summary
A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a liquid. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a surface of a liquid contained in a container and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Textures of liquids are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.