Point-and-Shoot Strategy for Identification of Alcoholic Beverages

Abstract

The lack of point-and-shoot detection methods of alcoholic beverages (ABs) available for ordinary people is a common cause of the overflow of various counterfeit ABs. Here, we, for the first time, provide a point-and-shoot identification for ABs via a smartphone. Using density functional theory, we find the binding ability of an ethylenediamine-functionalized polydiacetylene (P4) can reach a desirable trade-off among organic molecules in ABs. We therefore construct a versatile array consisting of P4 with different concentrations, which is able to generate unique color response patterns toward different ABs. The color response patterns are further analyzed by a custom-designed image processing algorithm based on machine learning. Finally, the identification of ABs can be achieved by capturing and analyzing the color pattern using an imaging recognition programmer on a smartphone, and the entire process is as fast as quick response (QR) code scanning. Our point-and-shoot strategy makes the identification of ABs accessible to every mobile phone user.

Highly Sensitive Polydiacetylene Ensembles for Biosensing and Bioimaging

“…A series of amphiphilic diacetylene molecules with different polar heads and tail groups can be prepared by the Cadiot-Chodkiewicz reaction using acetylene or halocetylene derivatives (Reppy and Pindzola, 2007). The topochemical polymerization takes place among the arranged diacetylene amphiphiles under excitation of the ultraviolet light or gamma ray, followed by the formation of polymer conjugated skeletons with alternating C=C and C=C bonds (Figure 1) (Reppy and Pindzola, 2007;Li et al, 2018). The special conjugated main chain of PDA gives it unique C=C Raman signal, strong absorption at 640 nm, and fluorescence properties.…”

Colorimetric Ethanol Indicator Based on Instantaneous, Localized Wetting of a Photonic Crystal

“…A large portion of colorimetric sensors operate based on building blocks that have adaptive optical absorption or fluorescence in response to ethanol or other molecules in liquors (e.g., aldehydes and ketones). [15][16][17] One representative process is the release of fluorescent dyes that are pre-encapsulated in an ethanol/waterresponsive polymer matrix. 18,19 This type of color change is generally irreversible and takes minutes to reach steady state, which is inconvenient for the user.…”

“…A long-standing motivation for ethanol differentiation originates from preventing adulteration and protecting the consumer from alcohol with an inaccurately advertised alcohol content. , Another growing area of interest lies in sensing and preventing underage drinking by adding liquor to nonalcoholic beverages. , Both of these scenarios demand easy, immediate, and on-site sensing of ethanol, which precludes using such traditional in-laboratory techniques as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and UV–vis spectrometry. − Handheld electronic and optoelectronic noses are prevalent in vapor ethanol detection but are less compatible with the liquid phase and have relatively high costs. − Colorimetric sensing is inexpensive and easy to use and thus has become a popular direction for developing on-site ethanol indicators. A large portion of colorimetric sensors operate based on building blocks that have adaptive optical absorption or fluorescence in response to ethanol or other molecules in liquors (e.g., aldehydes and ketones). − One representative process is the release of fluorescent dyes that are pre-encapsulated in an ethanol–water-responsive polymer matrix. , This type of color change is generally irreversible and takes minutes to reach the steady state, which is inconvenient for the user.…”