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PostHarvest and Boost Design have collaboratively developed a breakthrough technology to help reduce the significant amount of food loss currently present in the food supply chain.
As fresh produce matures, plant hormones are released in the form of ethylene gas, to induce ripening. Ethylene production continues to increase after harvesting, which can lead to overripening and a decreased shelf life.
The ´¡³Ù³¾´Ç²õ´Ú°ù±ð²õ³óâ„¢ system actively monitors ethylene levels in produce storage areas with remarkable precision. The highly sensitive gas sensor technology can detect the ripening cycle of fruit in real time and provide feedback to supply chain operators on how to best manage their stored produce, reducing product waste by up to 45%.
PostHarvest developed a proof-of-concept (POC) prototype and approached Boost Design to refine and commercialise the technology for market release. Boost Design undertook an extensive research and development process to enhance the precision of the chemical gas sensor technology and detection algorithms.
Boost Design was able to successfully increase the capability of the device, allowing sampling of ethylene at extremely low concentrations (parts per billion), delivering a level of accuracy that was previously only obtainable in scientific laboratories. PostHarvest was able to promote these innovative achievements within industry settings, which has led to multiple recognitions and awards (including a Good Design Award, Best in Class, Best Food Tech, and an Edison Award, to name a few).
Boost Design developed a series of prototype devices, including the industrial design, electronic and hardware design, firmware and software design, suitable for field testing and capable of demonstrating the core features of the technology. This also included the development of the Cloud Software, Wi-Fi-enabled communications protocols, and cloud connectivity, allowing for real-time detection and monitoring from anywhere in the world. These breakthroughs in technology have led to multiple patentable innovations as a result.
PostHarvest has been conducting a number of customer trials with industry partners and is currently running the ´¡³Ù³¾´Ç²õ´Ú°ù±ð²õ³óâ„¢ system within sites across Australian fresh produce distribution networks.
