Sensing and Instrumentation Technologies for Food Safety
www.ars.usda.gov/nea/barc/emfsl/sensingtech
The EMFSL Sensing Technologies group focuses on the development of optical sensing methods for non-destructive, rapid, and/or automated inspection and screening of food materials and food processing equipment to reduce food safety risks. Research areas include:
- Hyperspectral and multispectral imaging using visible/near-infrared reflectance and UV/violet-excitation fluorescence
- Whole-surface inspection of fresh produce for contamination detection
- Raman chemical imaging for food authentication and adulterant detection
- Handheld fluorescence imaging for cleaning and sanitation inspection (patented)
- Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) imaging for in-field contamination inspection for fresh produce
- Automated hyperspectral platform for monitoring food safety and plant health of space crop production systems
*** this ongoing project received the Federal Laboratory Consortium 2023 interagency partnership award *** - Gradient temperature Raman spectroscopy (GTRS)
- Online poultry wholesomeness inspection (patented and licensed)
Current project, 2021 - 2026: Advancement of Sensing Technologies for Food Safety and Security Applications
Previous project, 2016 - 2021:Sensing Technologies for the Detection and Characterization of Microbial, Chemical, and Biological Contaminants in Foods
Previous project, 2011 - 2016: Development of Sensing and Instrumentation Technologies for Food Safety and Sanitation Inspection in Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Processing
Research Scientists
- Moon S. Kim, PhD , Lead Scientist & Research Physical Scientist
- Insuck Baek, PhD, Research Mechanical Engineer
- Kuanglin (Kevin) Chao, PhD, Research Agricultural Engineer
- Jianwei (Tony) Qin, PhD, Research Agricultural Engineer
Research Support Staff
- Diane E. Chan, MS, Agricultural Engineer
Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Associates and Students
- Claudia Bellato
- Chansong Hwang
- Lalit Kandpal, postdoc
- Hyun Jung Min, postdoc
- Feifei Tao, postdoc
- Andrew Van Tassell
Visiting Scientists
- Sungyeon Kim, PhD
- Ahyeong Lee, PhD
Tellus and and (archived) Agricultural Research Magazine articles and press releases featuring EMFSL Sensing Technologies research
- Tellus, November 2021: Watch What You Eat . . . From Space
- Press release, January 19, 2007: Space-Age Tools Boost Food Safety, Quality
- Agricultural Research Magazine, January 2007: Machine's Eye View of Poultry and Produce