Wireless gas sensor based on activated carbon and nanofibrillated cellulose for detection of food spoilage

Monitoring the quality of perishable food is critical for reducing the societal costs. A wireless intelligent gas sensor based on biomass/heavy oil-derived activated carbon will be prepared to monitoring the spoilage of food. Agricultural/forest biomass residual materials such as straw, sawmill waste, and logging residue, and cheap and abundant bitumen are feedstocks yielding high porous activated carbon via a two-step process consisting of low-temperature pyrolysis (<600?) and high-temperature activation (1100-1200?). The activated carbon will be modified to prepare volatile sensor. The cellulose-based film used as base substrate for energy harvesting circuit, RFID chip, and volatile sensor will be prepared with nanofibrillated cellulose. Once this can be done, it will provide a reliable smart wireless gas sensor with good selectivity, sensitivity, low cost, and real-time responsibility to monitor the spoilage of food during the transport and storage.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jinguang Hu

Student:

Partner:

Cancarbon Technologies Inc.;Performance BioFilaments

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Calgary

Program: