Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
Developing application-specific sensor systems
Sensory analytics and technology
Perception is the process by which we subjectively acquire and process information, both from environmental stimuli and our own bodies. Deepening our understanding of how stimuli are received and processed is one of the most important factors for developing intelligent systems. With modern sensor technology, our interpretation of our perceptions can be recorded digitally, paving the way for the development of new technologies that can reliably detect important information. Our new research field for »Developing Application-Specific Sensor Systems« specializes in translating human interpretations of what we perceive into machine systems and in developing highly complex, intelligent sensor technology. This research field will unite the world of sensory experience with the digital world, allowing us to combine our many years of expertise in the field of sensory analytics with new, innovative, technological methods so, we can offer our customers faster, more cost-effective solutions. We are expanding our services, going beyond classic olfactory and flavor research and multisensory perception and adding development of intelligent systems for measuring and evaluating odors and other sensory variables. This means we are combining our expertise in the fields of human sensor technology, chemical analysis, data science and measurement technology, so as to join forces and drive progress in the area of evaluating and optimizing product efficacy.
Possible applications for sensors
Use of sensors in the food industry
Meat, spices, beverages and milk, fruit & vegetables
Would you like to monitor the sensory quality of your food or detect volatile organic compounds as spoilage markers?
Thanks to our innovative sensor technology, you will be able to continually, cost-effectively monitor your food products, from the production stage to storage and right through to goods receipt.
We will design an application-specific, tailor-made sensor system for you.
Our services for sensors in the food industry:
- Identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors in food products using GC-MS and GC-IMS
- Characterizing and identifying (off-)odors and (off-)flavors
- Designing and validating suitable sensors for continuous quality monitoring in warehouses, during goods receipt or production processes
- Correlating analytical laboratory data with human sensory perceptions to support innovative product developments
Application-specific sensor systems in the field of plastics and recyclates
Packaging, composite materials, components for the automotive industry, raw materials
We have extensive cross-industry expertise in the sensory analysis of everyday objects, raw materials and recyclates. The development of tailor-made, innovative sensor technologies combined with extensive expertise in odor analysis and the use of multidimensional data analysis and data science enable us to analyze the sensory properties of your products quickly, efficiently and in a targeted manner. We support you in being prepared for the challenges of quality assurance, product development and optimization:
Our services in the field of plastics and recyclates:
- Design and validation of suitable sensors for continuous quality monitoring in the production process
- Detection and characterization of volatile compounds with a focus on sensory product properties
- Efficient monitoring of processes for product or plant diagnostics
- Automated evaluation of analytical measurements to reduce risks in production
- Correlation of analytical laboratory data with human sensory perceptions to support innovative product developments
- Real-time monitoring of odor release to minimize harmful emissions
Contact us to implement the product development and optimization of your products quickly and purposefully with the use of tailor-made sensor systems.
Emissions — Sensor systems for detecting gas markers
Industrial parks, biogas plants, feedlot facilities, authorities and service providers
Self-monitoring and self-regulation have become an important concern in industry and business. Responsible, environmentally conscious companies increasingly tend to view efficient monitoring systems as a must-have, especially when it comes to monitoring emissions.
With our intelligent sensor systems, we can help you monitor your emissions continuously, so you can adjust them in a targeted, cost-efficient and time-controlled way.
Our services in the field of sensor systems for detecting gas markers:
- Continuously monitoring the effectiveness of exhaust air filtration through integrated digital sensors
- Characterizing and identifying off-odors
- Monitoring filter contamination
- Developing and evaluating continuous measuring systems in chimneys to monitor air pollution
Indoor odor management
Living and sleeping areas, office and event areas, vehicle interiors
Monitoring and controlling indoor air quality in living, sleeping and working spaces is vitally important and associated with major health benefits. We develop sensors that efficiently target and monitor volatile and odor-active compounds, whether they stem from fire, water damage or mold growth.
New sensor technologies also support us in assessing the odor behavior of materials, components and situation stimuli in spaces such as vehicle interiors, enabling a pleasant user experience, including when car sharing, for example.
Our indoor odor-management service:
- Continuous monitoring of indoor air quality in terms of odor pollution, humidity and air composition
- Developing miniaturized, intelligent sensors and measuring systems, as well as integrating them into ventilation control systems to continuously monitor air quality
- Developing and integrating targeted fragrance-release systems
We conduct and apply our research on odor management in interior spaces in collaboration with our colleagues from the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP.