Chinese Valentine's Day Chocolate Challenge! See how spectral analysis can solve the "sweet problem"

Latest update time：2021-09-03 17:11

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Roses, chocolates, candlelight...

A most romantic Chinese Valentine's Day,

We use TI DLP® NIRscan™ Nano EVM

Choose the best chocolate for you.

See how high technology proves your love!

There is nothing sweeter than giving your loved one chocolate on Valentine's Day, but choosing chocolate with the right proportion of cocoa and sugar is a "technical job."

At TI DLP Products, we decided to tackle this sweet challenge using the DLP NIRscan Nano evaluation module (EVM). We scanned unidentified chocolate samples and compared them to a library of known milk chocolates and dark chocolates containing 70% and 85% cocoa.

Based on the known chocolate information in the database, we have the following findings:

Dark chocolate with 70% cocoa = about 27.5% sugar

Dark chocolate with 85% cocoa = about 12.5% sugar

Milk chocolate = about 52.4% sugar

The DLP NIRscan Nano EVM is optimized for the 900-1,700 nm wavelength range and is capable of delivering a 6,000:1 signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The results shown in the graph below are taken directly from the graphical user interface (GUI) within the EVM. We looked at the absorption of three different chocolates in this wavelength range. When compared to the absorption range in the library, we can distinguish between 70% cocoa dark chocolate, 85% cocoa dark chocolate, and milk chocolate.

Screen capture of the GUI showing measured absorption of three different chocolates

Now, you don’t have to worry about buying the wrong chocolate, and you can choose the most suitable sweetness chocolate for your loved one.

Much More Than a Box of Chocolates

Of course, the NIRscan Nano EVM can help measure more than just sugar.

The EVM is an evaluation tool to help developers quickly design spectrometers and chemical analyzers using DLP chips. The tool uses DLP technology together with a single-point InGaAs detector to provide high-performance measurements in portable applications, which are more affordable. The wide near-infrared light window projection makes it more valuable in a range of applications such as agriculture, petrochemicals and healthcare.

DLP NIRscan Nano EVM “on a mission”

The EVM can be charged via USB or battery and is equipped with TI components, including the DLP2010NIR digital micromirror device (DMD), DLPC150 digital controller and DLPA2005 power control and LED/lamp driver. The DLP2010NIR chip is the smallest and most efficient DLP chip currently available and is designed for a range of handheld near-infrared sensing applications.

I wish you all a happy Chinese Valentine's Day!

“ WeChat ID: TIsemi ”