Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
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.

Our services for application-specific sensor systems

Characterizing sensors and measuring systems

Thanks to our extensive expertise in the field of sensor and measurement technology, we can find the right sensor for your measurement task:

 

  • Characterizing specific gases with technology-agnostic sensors
  • Detecting particular gases using a wide range of sensors (IR, MOS, hyperspectral cameras)

Developing sensor systems

From sampling and detection to data evaluation, we can be a one-stop shop for all your needs:

 

  • Developing innovative, application-specific online measurement technologies
  • Making measurement technology more precise using preconcentrators, specific sampling methods and gas chromatography separation columns
  • Integrating systems, including electronics

Validating applications

As your reliable partner for applied validation of measurement technology, we can provide the following services:

 

  • Test rigs and a variety of methods for comprehensive validation of measurement technology
  • Field measurements with GC-MS and PTR-MS, compared against a known reference standard
  • Validating sensors and sensor systems using a GC-SOMSA setup

© iStock.com / wabang70, iStock.com / amtitus

Implementing and validating AI and ML methods

Analyzing and evaluating data: A quick, automated process, from measurements to results!

  • Automatic measurement evaluation for multi-sensor systems
  • Multidimensional data analysis and data science
  • A range of standard tools from PCA, LDA and PLSR (chemometry) right up to deep neural networks

We’ll help you develop the right sensor system for your application

Send project request

Possible applications for sensors

Use of sensors in the food industry

Meat, spices, beverages and milk, fruit & vegetables

Wine analysis using low-cost chemosensors
© Fraunhofer IVV

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

Emissions — Sensor systems for detecting gas markers

Industrial parks, biogas plants, feedlot facilities, authorities and service providers

Industrial park
© cozyta/ istockphoto.com

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

Bright morning sun in the open window through the curtains
© andreygonchar/ istockphoto.com
Modern car interior
© FGorgun/ istockphoto.com

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.

Research projects in the field of product performance

 

© gorodenkoff

Research project »SENT-GC-MOS«

System development tool for efficient development of portable GC systems with MOS detector for food quality control.

Further Information

Project »PUMMEL«

Development of a "point-of-use micro-multichannel gas chromatograph” for fast point-of-use detection of VOCs.

Further information

Project »Intellidate«

A smartphone app for shelf life determination - development of an intelligent (packaging) system for sensor-based prediction of the actual expiry date of food.

Further information

Joint project »SHIELD«

Safe (organic) food and less losses through sensory detection methods.

Further information

Project »Zukunftslabor2030« (Future lab 2030)

Sustainable consumer protection and increased food safety using artificial intelligence and sensors.

Further information
 

Cooperation project »Campus of the senses«

A joint project of the Fraunhofer Institute  IVV and the Fraunhofer Institute IIS.

Further information