THERMALLY ACTIVATED MAGNETIC AND RESISTIVE AGING

摘要

Examples of the present invention include apparatus and methods for monitoring aging of an item. A solid-state structure is located within, adjacent to, or otherwise proximate the item, the solid-state structure including nanostructures. The electrical resistance and/or magnetization of the solid-state structure is determined to determine the degree of aging of the item. In representative examples, the solid-state structure includes nanostructures of a metal, such as a ferromagnetic metal, within a non-magnetic matrix, such as a semimetal, semiconductor, or insulator.

主权项

1. An RFID food item aging apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
a solid-state structure having a plurality of nanostructures of a first material distributed in a matrix second material, said solid-state structure also having a first measurable value of electrical resistance, magnetization or capacitance at a first time and a second measurable value of electrical resistance, magnetization and/or capacitance at a second time, said second measurable value of electrical resistance, magnetization and/or capacitance being a function of a temperature profile of said solid-state structure between said first time and said second time; an antenna in communication with said solid-state structure, said antenna operable to broadcast at least one of said first measurable value and said second measurable value of electrical resistance, magnetization and/or capacitance to an RFID reader.