Innovative amperometric gas sensors for monitoring post-harvest food quality and safety - phase i proposal: "gas sensors for food safety and economy in the food supply chain" summary/abstract the…

Interlink Electronics, Inc. received a $200,000 Phase I Project Grant from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food and Drug Administration Research program (CFDA 93.103), awarded on September 30, 2025, with a completion date of September 29, 2026. The company will develop innovative amperometric gas sensor nodes designed to monitor post-harvest food quality and safety throughout the food supply chain. The project focuses initially on creating low-cost, accurate, and sensitive sensors for detecting ethylene, ozone, and food odor gases—critical parameters in controlled atmosphere storage and shipping operations. These sensor nodes aim to replace current large-scale instrumentation and cumbersome laboratory protocols with portable monitoring solutions.

The anticipated impact of this work is substantial, with potential to reduce the estimated 15% waste in the food industry by even 10%, representing a potential $15 billion economic benefit. In Phase II, the company plans to expand sensor capabilities to include additional safety and quality assurance parameters such as spoilage indicators (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and amines). By enabling real-time monitoring of gas composition and quality indicators at the point of storage and transport, Interlink Electronics' sensor technology will support improved food safety, reduced product loss, and enhanced operational efficiency across multiple food industry sectors.

Innovative amperometric gas sensors for monitoring post-harvest food quality and safety - phase i proposal: "gas sensors for food safety and economy in the food supply chain" summary/abstract the proposed work will provide advanced processing and material measurements [low-cost sensor nodes] that will have enormous impacts by improving the food safety for widespread societal benefit. Additionally, the economic benefit will be large - a reduction of the 15% estimated WASTE4.b by even 10% is this large volume industry will have a potential $15B impact! An opportunity exists to develop sensor nodes that monitor quality and safety of crops and produce, as well as reducing waste in several sectors of the food industry. Our work will start with gas sensors for ethylene, ozone and food odor gases. The most frequently used sensors in produce storage and transport processes include those for O2, CO2, and t, p, RH as well as the ripening phytohormone, ethylene. Ozone is used for ripening control as well as sterilization. In phase II we will expand to additional safety and QA parameters that include odor indicators of spoilage [e.g., H2S, ammonia, and amines]. Currently, analysis of food related gasses, e.g. those for controlled atmosphere [CA] storage and shipping, is almost invariably performed with large instrumentation and/or cumbersome laboratory protocols. The opportunity exists to revolutionize how the food industry addresses yield, loss and safety in this industry. To illustrate our innovative approach to addressing this need, IE sensors proposes development of an accurate and sensitive (