[nanoPost] Oxygen-Scavenging packaging

University UK

The scavenger is made of a photocatalyst such as TiO2 which, upon irradiation, deoxygenates a closed environment.  The scavenger is embedded within a film which can be used to cover electronic, optoelectronic devices or protect foodstuff or medical instruments.  The film is activated by light and as such can be controlled easily.  It benefits from longer functional periods compared with current techniques.

Key Advantages

Longer periods of functional use;

Consumes greater volumes of oxygen per unit mass than iron or polymer based scavengers;

De-oxygenation can be performed simply by the application of light -  offering a high degree of controllability;

Cost-effective method as film can be cheaply manufactured;

Does not require a specialised packaging environment.

Markets and Applications

This technology has a primary application in the following markets:

Opto-electronic and electronic device manufacture;

Food packaging;

Pharmaceuticals;

Artwork and artefact storage and transport;

Medical instrumentation.

Sensor for Oxidising Agents       

Modified atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is a modern and much used method to protect oxygen sensitive items, most commonly foodstuffs and sterilised medical equipment.  It is imperative within this form of packaging that the level of oxygen is known, to indicate product tampering and assure quality. Current oxygen sensors tend to be unreliable, due to their reversibility with oxygen, and are also typically costly with short shelf-lives.

Technology

New research at the University has discovered a novel sensor for measuring oxygen levels within MAP.  Critically, the sensor changes colour on the detection of oxygen.   Untrained personnel and end users can therefore monitor the oxygen level within the package to maintain product quality.  The sensor is ‘activated’ using UV light and remains unaffected by light out-with the UV wavelength (i.e. it is unaffected by natural light).  It is further unaffected by carbon dioxide, a common MAP gas.

Key Advantages

Cheap to manufacture;

Irreversible and therefore more reliable and accurate;

Can be encapsulated within a number of materials including plastic film or ink dye;

Longer shelf-life;

Insusceptibility to carbon dioxide;

Detectable to the human eye and so does not require trained personnel;

Does not require specialised storage or handling.

Markets and Applications

Modified atmosphere packaging used by food industry to detect tampering and communicate product quality assurance in substances such as breads, confectionery, beverages, dairy products and fresh packaged foods;

Sterilised medical equipment;

Pharmaceuticals.