2010/05/13 by Katherine A. Mirica, Scott T. Phillips, Charles R. Mace +1 · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies #Analytical Chemistry (journal) #Chemistry #Chromatography #Composite material #Condensed matter physics #Container (type theory) #Diamagnetism #Electrical engineering #Engineering #Levitation #Maglev #Magnet #Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects #Magnetic field #Magnetic levitation #Materials science #Mechanical engineering #Neodymium magnet #Nuclear magnetic resonance #Paramagnetism #Physics #Scientific Research and Discoveries
paper · doi:10.1021/jf100377n
openalex publication_date 2010/05/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
This paper describes a method and a sensor that use magnetic levitation (MagLev) to characterize samples of food and water on the basis of measurements of density. The sensor comprises two permanent NdFeB magnets positioned on top of each other in a configuration with like poles facing and a container filled with a solution of paramagnetic ions. Measurements of density are obtained by suspending a diamagnetic object in the container filled with the paramagnetic fluid, placing the container between the magnets, and measuring the vertical position of the suspended object. MagLev was used to estimate the salinity of water, to compare a variety of vegetable oils on the basis of the ratio of polyunsaturated fat to monounsaturated fat, to compare the contents of fat in milk, cheese, and peanut butter, and to determine the density of grains.