Measurement of metallic contaminants in food with a high-Tc SQUID
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2004
Abstract
We have proposed and demonstrated a high-Tc SQUID system for detecting metallic contaminants in foodstuffs. There is a demand for the development of systems for detecting not only magnetic materials but also non-magnetic materials such as Cu and aluminium in foodstuffs to ensure food safety. The system consists of a SQUID magnetometer, an excitation coil and a permanent magnet. For a non-magnetic sample, an AC magnetic field is applied during detection to induce an eddy current in the sample. For a magnetizable sample, a strong magnetic field is applied to the sample prior to the detection attempt. We were able to detect a stainless steel ball with a diameter of 0.1 mm and a Cu ball less than 1 mm in diameter, for example.
Keywords
high-Tc SQUID system, metallic contaminants, food safety, SQUID magnetometer
Divisions
PHYSICS
Publication Title
Superconductor Science and Technology
Volume
17
Issue
4
Additional Information
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science Building, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA