A National Chung Hsing University professor yesterday unveiled a device that promises to make analysis of chemical substances more effective, economical and eco-friendly.
Professor Jen Jen-fon (鄭政峯) has already secured patents for the invention in Taiwan, the US and China.
Jen said his invention would have important benefits in the field of food safety.
PHOTO: TANG CHIA-LING, TAIPEI TIMES
“Currently, the problem is that by the time an analysis is carried out, the [food] has already been consumed and digested,” Jen said, adding that his invention promised to shorten the time needed to conduct an analysis from between two and 10 hours to between five and 30 minutes.
The method involves diluting a sample substance in water and then placing it into an apparatus installed inside a microwave.
The chemical properties of the substance rise into a tube, mimicking the formation of a cloud.
This cools and condenses the chemicals, allowing its properties to be easily read using another device.
Jen said the process was better fore the environment as it uses fewer chemicals and instruments.
Chen Cheng-hong (陳正宏), deputy minister of the National Science Council, praised the invention for helping improve an important process.
“I’m sure everyone can understand the importance of chemical analysis,” Chen said.
Jen said that while many domestic and international companies had contacted him about the device, at present he had no plans for commercialization of his invention.
“As this is a National Science Council proposal, I must turn it over to the education field,” he said.
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