Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz Sensing
Coffee bean sorting is currently based primarily on visual appearance and near-infrared techniques that probe the bean’s skin. However, sorting based on compositional differences has significant potential to optimize the roasting process. We present a novel coffee bean sorting method using terahertz...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2096 |
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| author | Dook van Mechelen Daan Meulendijks Milan Koumans |
| author_facet | Dook van Mechelen Daan Meulendijks Milan Koumans |
| author_sort | Dook van Mechelen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coffee bean sorting is currently based primarily on visual appearance and near-infrared techniques that probe the bean’s skin. However, sorting based on compositional differences has significant potential to optimize the roasting process. We present a novel coffee bean sorting method using terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, which effectively penetrates both green and roasted beans. Our findings show that the optical properties of coffee beans at THz frequencies are primarily governed by internal moisture levels. To demonstrate industrial feasibility, we implement a robot-guided THz sensing system capable of scanning beds of beans for automated sorting. More broadly, our results confirm the potential of THz technology for moisture content analysis across various applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e37b4eafc1314c95b6f023ecd5ff491f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-e37b4eafc1314c95b6f023ecd5ff491f2025-08-20T03:03:24ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01257209610.3390/s25072096Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz SensingDook van Mechelen0Daan Meulendijks1Milan Koumans2Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsCoffee bean sorting is currently based primarily on visual appearance and near-infrared techniques that probe the bean’s skin. However, sorting based on compositional differences has significant potential to optimize the roasting process. We present a novel coffee bean sorting method using terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, which effectively penetrates both green and roasted beans. Our findings show that the optical properties of coffee beans at THz frequencies are primarily governed by internal moisture levels. To demonstrate industrial feasibility, we implement a robot-guided THz sensing system capable of scanning beds of beans for automated sorting. More broadly, our results confirm the potential of THz technology for moisture content analysis across various applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2096optical properties of coffee beansmoisture level of coffee beanscoffee bean sortingTHz spectroscopy |
| spellingShingle | Dook van Mechelen Daan Meulendijks Milan Koumans Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz Sensing Sensors optical properties of coffee beans moisture level of coffee beans coffee bean sorting THz spectroscopy |
| title | Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz Sensing |
| title_full | Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz Sensing |
| title_fullStr | Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz Sensing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz Sensing |
| title_short | Coffee Bean Characterization Using Terahertz Sensing |
| title_sort | coffee bean characterization using terahertz sensing |
| topic | optical properties of coffee beans moisture level of coffee beans coffee bean sorting THz spectroscopy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2096 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dookvanmechelen coffeebeancharacterizationusingterahertzsensing AT daanmeulendijks coffeebeancharacterizationusingterahertzsensing AT milankoumans coffeebeancharacterizationusingterahertzsensing |