Page 25 - Autumn 2024

Industry News Industry News

USING BLOCKCHAIN
CRYSTAL GRAIN ROTATION
TO IMPROVE FOOD
BREAKTHROUGH FOR
SAFETY
ELECTRONICS

Researchers at the University of California, Xiaoquing Pan, University of California Irvine A study at the American University of Ras a food safety issue the blockchain can quickly
Irvine, have, for the first time, achieved Distinguished Professor and Director of the Al Khaimah (AURAK) is integrating IoT and identify and isolate the affected products,
atomic-scale observations of grain rotation University of California Irvine Materials Research blockchain in order to improve food safety with simplifying the recall process and minimising the
within polycrystalline materials, which are Institute, comments: collaboration from the University of Naples. impact of incidents.
fundamental to electronics, aerospace and
“ Scientists have speculated and theorised on The World Health Organisation estimates Dr. Tahseen Arshi, Associate Provost for Research
solar technologies.
phenomena occurring at the boundaries of that about 600 million people ( one in ten ) and Community Service at AURAK, states:
With the aid of advanced microscopy, the team crystalline grains for decades. Now, through the globally become ill each year due to ingesting
“ Our study investigates how technologies such
heated samples of platinum nanocrystalline use of the most advanced instruments available contaminated food, with around 420, 000
as IoT and blockchain can revolutionise how
films and observed grain rotation mechanisms to the scientific community, we have been able fatalities.
food is monitored, traced and managed across
in fine detail, which were groundbreaking for the to transition from theory to observation.
In this study blockchain is being used to provide the supply chain, enhancing transparency,
understanding of atomic-scale behaviour in
Our results provide unequivocal, quantitative a transparent record of a food product’s journey accountability and efficiency. ”
such materials.
and predictive evidence of the mechanism by from farm to table, enabling quick identification Reference: ‘AURAK researchers integrate IoT and Blockchain for Food
Four-dimensional scanning transmission which grains rotate in polycrystals on an atomic of sources of contamination in the event of an Safety’, IoT Insider, 5th. September.
electron microscopy, referred to as 4D-STEM, scale. Understanding how disconnections outbreak, such as microbial pathogens, heavy
combined with high-angle annular dark- control grain rotation and grain boundary metals, undeclared allergens and foreign bodies
field STEM, enabled the movement of grain migration processes can lead to new strategies and materials.
boundaries to be captured with extreme clarity. A for optimising the microstructures of these
Blockchain notably enables comprehensive
machine learning algorithm was then developed materials. This knowledge is invaluable for
traceability of food products with each stage
to interpret the complex 4D-STEM data and advancing technologies in various industries
of the supply chain, from production through Visit our
extract critical information, in particular the including electronics, aerospace and
processing to distribution, being recorded on a
role of disconnections at grain boundaries as a automotive.”
blockchain. IoT devices can then monitor food
driving force for grain rotation. Reference : West, P., ‘Grain Rotation Breakthrough for Electronics’, products in real-time, using sensors to capture website!
Electronic Specifier, 28th. October.
In polycrystalline materials grain boundaries are and transmit data on their location, storage
Why not head down to our
interfaces that impact on material efficiency due duration and conditions.
website and read more
to imperfections, and this study revealed that
Immutable records are created so as to news in our blog section?
grain rotation occurs as a result of the motion of
maintain a decentralised tamper-proof ledger of
disconnections, that is line defects that combine Updated daily with
every transaction or change in the supply chain
step and dislocation characteristics.
and provide detailed information on the origin hand-picked articles
Machine learning analysis also revealed that and handling of food. from around the web...
there was correlation between grain rotation and
A major advantage of this system is its ability
changes in grain size caused by shear-coupled institutionofelectronics.ac.uk
to facilitate streamlined recalls. In the event of
migration along grain boundaries.
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