Penn State researchers developing sensor technology for agriculture

University Park, Pa. -- After six years of being part of a team in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences researching the development of sensors, Joseph Irudayaraj is ... well, sensitive about the future.

"The application of sensors seems endless," said the associate professor of agricultural engineering. "The technology now being developed for detecting contamination of our environment, our food supplies and even our bodies is mind-boggling."

Irudayaraj sees a time in the not-so-distant future when sensors will monitor buildings for airborne contaminants, scan produce and other foods for pathogens both on the surface and internally, and signal doctors to the very early presence of diseases such as cancer in patients. "It is incredible how minute amounts of bacteria and other targets can be instantly detected," he said. "The research is exciting because the ramifications to our society are so significant."

Irudayaraj -- who was the co-winner last year of a Secretary's Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for research to increase the efficiency, security, sustainability and profitability of the fruit and vegetable industry through application of new sensor technology -- has continued to investigate sensor development outside food applications. His work has mainly focused on optical sensor technology.

"Here at Penn State we are looking at how to detect and better understand bacteria," he said. "That will result in our being able to secure the food chain against unforeseen incidents. For instance, infrared sensors will be able to detect and signal the presence of pathogens such as E. coli on apples at production line speeds, with a focus on quality and safety."

Other researchers are working with sensors that will do things such as sample the aroma of apples growing on trees and signal when they have attained the proper ripeness for harvest, or sniff fresh foods looking for odors that would reveal the beginning of rotting or decay, long before it otherwise could be detected.

"As a group, the research team at Penn State has looked at advanced sensor technologies -- such as x-rays, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, infrared spectroscopy, ultrasound and machine vision -- for quick and efficient identification," said Irudayaraj. "Most of these technologies have come from medical disciplines, and the major advantage is that they don't damage biological materials, unlike other laboratory tests that require sample preparation and are time consuming."

Besides infrared spectroscopy, Irudayaraj is trying a number of different approaches for sensor creation, such as chemically treating surfaces such as inert metals to attract bacteria and other targeted particles, or using materials to attract spores or toxins in the air. "It's almost like we are setting a trap for them," he explained. "Then our sensors can detect even the most minute quantities of a targeted substance and signal its presence."

If Irudayaraj has his way, it won't be long until sensors using Penn State-developed technology are watching over our homes, workplaces, food supplies and even our health, signaling the presence of disease-causing organisms, toxins and contaminants before they can do damage.

For more news from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, visit http://aginfo.psu.edu