Simulating Fruit Transportation
In collaboration with the Department of Food Sciences, design, manufacture, and test a mechanism to simulate the transportation of fruit (e.g., strawberries).
Objectives
This mechanism will include a vibration shaker table, a digital signal generator, and signal amplifier. A sweep sine signal controlled by the signal generator and the amplifier will be fed to the shaker. Based on the frequency components of the measured vibrations in a truck when transporting strawberries locally, each sinusoidal signal will be set to sweep from 2 to 80 Hz at an acceleration level of 0.4 g (1 g = 9.8 m/s2). A piezoelectric accelerometer will be placed on the test platform and a National Instrument data acquisition system will be used to monitor the vibration levels during the test. Each box of fruit samples will be subjected to vibrations for 2 hours at room temperature. The stationary (i.e., non-vibrated) samples will also be kept in the same conditions for 2 hours. The vibrated and non-vibrated strawberries will both be stored at 4 degrees Celsius after the vibration tests.
Motivations
Transportation of fruit is important for increasing stability of the agricultural chain. Be a part of further understanding how to decrease food waste during transportation!
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
None Listed Preferred Qualifications:
None Listed
Details
Project Partner:
Layne Clemen
NDA/IPA:No Agreement Required
Number Groups:1
Project Status:Accepting Applicants
