Electronic materials quality control, instrumental

As we look to the future, we see an increasing application of electronic controls in clinker and cement production, expensive automated systems that, theo retically, eventually provide a higher-quality product at a reasonable price. The essential value and use of microscopy in the cement industry, however, have not changed. The light microscope remains an economical, practical, easily applied means of material quality control from the quarry to the construction. It should be a complementary tool amidst other equally valued instruments of analysis. But, as in mastery of the piano, the virtuoso must practice, practice, practice. One can always make better observations, tighter correlations, and more explanatory interpretations. 

Plasma emission spectrometers have shown a rapid growth. This holds also for NMR spectrometer sales because of new applications in biomedical research and more sophisticated experimental methods using increased computing power. Similarly, Raman spectroscopy, traditionally used in academic research, is gaining acceptance in industrial R D and quality control applications. Materials research and surface analysis in a variety of industries keeps the sales of electron microscopic, electron spectroscopic, ion spectroscopic, and X-ray instruments growing. Details of the various techniques on surface and interface characterization which are also important in R D of chemical sensors themselves, can be found in Chapter 3, Section 3.4.2. 

A variety of measurement methods have been developed for determining the water activity of food materials and are well described in texts such as Rahman (1995), Wiederhold (1997), and Bell and Labuza (2000). In general, water activity is a relatively easy parameter to measure, which can be an advantage, especially for use in the food industry. Depending on the technique selected, the water activity of a food material can be measured in a time frame of minutes (e.g., electronic instrument). In addition, individuals can be trained, with a limited amount of instruction, to make water activity measurements. Consequently, when appropriate, water activity measurements can be made relatively quickly by personnel overseeing a manufacturing line for quality assurance purposes. Measurement protocols, such as calibration procedures and proper temperature control, should be implemented to assure the accuracy of online c/w measurements. 

---