Today, we are going to look at bioimpedance spectroscopy (mode 2 of Spectra system), where we obtain a dielectric spectrum by injecting a frequency sweep over a conductive object. Using this technique we will see if we can detect the difference between cooked and uncooked food!

To begin, we obtain one carrot and one chicken breast and take a bioimpedance spectrum measurement while it’s raw. We make sure to mark where we placed the electrodes so we can repeat the exact same measurement once it’s cooked. We then pop it in the microwave for two minutes, and take a second measurement. Can we see the difference?

The Results

Woo! It looks like there is a clearly discernible difference between cooked and uncooked spectrums. More than that, carrots and chickens have clearly discernable spectrums too. Other similar ideas include the ripeness of fruit, or the detection of cervical cancer using exactly the same technique!

If you want a detailed tutorial on how to do this with your Spectra - check out the tutorials in the documentation section of our site.

Almost There!

Thanks again if you’ve already supported the Spectra campaign. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to do so - we’re nearing the end of the campaign and would love to push through the goal and make these fascinating techniques more accessible. Thank you for your support!

Learn More on the Main Spectra Campaign Page