Manufacturing sensors to monitor rheology in liquid production

Researchers working at Sheffield University, UK, have developed a new technology sensor system that allows engineers to monitor, in real time, how the flow of substances liquid changes during production.

The results of this study were published in "The journal Measurement Science and Technology".

"Companies that produce products in liquid form need to understand the characteristics of fluid flow under different circumstances, because changes in this flow can affect: texture, flavor taste or even the smell of a product, " said Dr. Julia Rees, working at the Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Sheffield, UK.

"The viscosity of liquids will change in different environmental conditions and manufacturers of liquid products often use mathematical equations to determine these changes," according to the researchers. .

Researchers working at Sheffield University, UK, predicted these changes by allowing liquids to flow through a non-invasive sensor system. This sensor will respond to the flow of information back through an electronic device, to calculate a range of possible (occurring) states of fluid flow.

Dr. Rees explains: "Separate measurement of each component makes the viscosity of liquids called rheometry (experimental techniques used to determine rheological properties of materials) . We can use mathematical equations to measure the viscosity of liquids, but the rheology (flow) of most liquids is very complex ".

"Instead, we can observe the properties of liquids, conduct measurements and then apply mathematical equations to calculate viscosity. The sensors we built can make these This calculation for companies, through the use of a simple checkout process ".

Scientists believe that companies can integrate this sensor in the process of developing new products, which means there is no need to take liquid samples from factories to test in the room. experiment.

This sensor can be operated at any scale and can be engraved on a microchip, with multiple channels (equal to the width of a human hair). This will be useful to experiment with small liquid samples, such as in biological samples of biological origin.

Researchers have developed a non-invasive sensor system in the laboratory and are currently working on refining the technology and developing a prototype design.

"Because micro-devices measure flow in real time, they will detect and promptly handle defects, so there will be no waste: materials, time and energy." , according to Will Zimmerman, professor of biochemical dynamics systems, Faculty of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Sheffield University, UK.