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Scientists Develop Device to Detect Counterfeit Booze

posted by mrpg on Saturday September 23 2017, @06:34AM   
from the I-like-counterfeit dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed the world's first handheld SORS device that can detect fake spirits, such as vodka and whisky, whilst still in their bottles.

SORS, or 'spatially offset Raman spectroscopy," devices give highly accurate chemical analysis of objects and contents beneath concealing surfaces, such as glass bottles. It works by using 'an optical approach' where lasers are directed through the glass, enabling the isolation of chemically-rich information that is held within the spirits.

Such devices are already commercially available but are usually used for security and hazmat detection, screening and pharmaceutical analysis. This latest version, developed at the University's School of Chemistry in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), is the first time such a handheld tool is being used for a food or beverage product. The reseach has been published in Nature today (21st September).

Spirit drinks are the EU's biggest agri-food export, with EU governments' revenues of at least €23 billion in excise duties and VAT, and approximately 1 million jobs linked to the production, distribution and sale of spirit drinks.

Bah, I make my own.

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Original Submission

• Whisky that wouldn't burn Whisky that wouldn't burn (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 23 2017, @07:49AM (1 child)

  by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 23 2017, @07:49AM (#572037)

  I've encountered more than one case where the whisky tasted strange and it wouldn't burn. Poured a bit on tissue paper and couldn't light it up with a lighter. Ambient temperatures were high enough to expect some flames (> 26C). I've tried the same thing with the real stuff and it burned with a blue flame as expected.

  From wiki:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distilled_beverage#Flammability [wikipedia.org]

  Liquor that contains 40% ABV (80 US proof) will catch fire if heated to about 26 °C (79 °F) and if an ignition source is applied to it.

  On the bright side nobody went blind.

  Starting Score:	0		points
  Moderation		+1
  Interesting=1, Total=1
  Extra 'Interesting' Modifier		0
  Total Score:		1

• Re:Whisky that wouldn't burn (Score: 1) by Guppy on Sunday September 24 2017, @02:41PM

  by Guppy (3213) on Sunday September 24 2017, @02:41PM (#572318)

  I've encountered more than one case where the whisky tasted strange and it wouldn't burn. Poured a bit on tissue paper and couldn't light it up with a lighter. Ambient temperatures were high enough to expect some flames (> 26C). I've tried the same thing with the real stuff and it burned with a blue flame as expected.

  Interestingly enough, the term "Proof" historically referred to the use of a flammability test to verify alcohol content, in which a pellet of gunpowder was soaked in the test material and ignited.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_proof#History [wikipedia.org]

  Parent