Intelligent non-colorimetric indicators for the perishable supply chain by non-wovens with photo-programmed thermal response

Luigi Romano, Alberto Portone, Maria-Beatrice Coltelli, Francesco Patti, Rosalba Saija, Maria Antonia Iatì, Giuseppe Gallone, Andrea Lazzeri, Serena Danti, Onofrio M. Maragò, Andrea Camposeo, Dario Pisignano () and Luana Persano ()
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Luigi Romano: NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore
Alberto Portone: NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore
Maria-Beatrice Coltelli: University of Pisa
Francesco Patti: Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università di Messina
Rosalba Saija: Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università di Messina
Maria Antonia Iatì: CNR-IPCF, Istituto Processi Chimico-Fisici
Giuseppe Gallone: University of Pisa
Andrea Lazzeri: University of Pisa
Serena Danti: University of Pisa
Onofrio M. Maragò: CNR-IPCF, Istituto Processi Chimico-Fisici
Andrea Camposeo: NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore
Dario Pisignano: NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore
Luana Persano: NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Spoiled perishable products, such as food and drugs exposed to inappropriate temperature, cause million illnesses every year. Risks range from intoxication due to pathogen-contaminated edibles, to suboptimal potency of temperature-sensitive vaccines. High-performance and low-cost indicators are needed, based on conformable materials whose properties change continuously and irreversibly depending on the experienced time-temperature profile. However, these systems can be limited by unclear reading, especially for colour-blind people, and are often difficult to be encoded with a tailored response to detect excess temperature over varying temporal profiles. Here we report on optically-programmed, non-colorimetric indicators based on nano-textured non-wovens encoded by their cross-linking degree. This combination allows a desired time-temperature response to be achieved, to address different perishable products. The devices operate by visual contrast with ambient light, which is explained by backscattering calculations for the complex fibrous material. Optical nanomaterials with photo-encoded thermal properties might establish new design rules for intelligent labels.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19676-y

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