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FINAL REPORT DURATION: 00-01

WTFRC Project #__________ Battelle Project # 28836

Project Title: Development of an On-Line Fruit Firmness Sensor

PI: Jeff Griffin

Organization: Battelle Northwest, Richland, WA

Co-PIs and affiliations: Dick Pappas and Gerry Posakony (Battelle); Greg Speer and William

Osborn (WSU); Daphane Reynolds (Chatham College).

Cooperators: Rich Ozanich and Scott Woltari, Berkeley Instruments, Richland,

WA; Mike Young,Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, WA

Objectives: Demonstrate a new concept for a non-contact, on-line fruit firmness sensor. Collaborate

with Rich Ozanich at Berkeley Instruments, Richland, WA to commercialize an on-line fruit firmness

measurement system.

Significant findings: This project received funding in April, 2001. Efforts to date have included: 1)

a kickoff meeting with staff at Berkeley Instruments; 2) collaborations with Mike Young, Stemilt

Growers to assess the technology embodied in the Aweta firmness sensor and; 3) an updated

literature/patent search to confirm the uniqueness of the Battelle non-contact firmness measurement

concept.

Methods: Laboratory experiments were initiated in June, 2001 with support from an undergraduate

student (Daphane Reynolds). Efforts will focus on conducting a laboratory demonstration of the noncontact

firmness measurement method. Collaborations with Berkeley Instruments will focus on

combining this new measurement technology with Berkeley’s existing infrared measurement

technology to enhance the quality of on-line fruit quality measurements.

Results and discussion: Initial laboratory results are anticipated by the end of August 2001.

Budget: Budget for 2000 was $50K. Berkeley Instruments has been provided $10K with the balance

($40K) granted to Battelle.

Project duration: One year.

Current year breakdown: Equipment and supplies: $5K

Student stipend: $5K

Battelle staff labor: $30K

Berkeley Instruments staff labor: $10K

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