The effect of mechanical deformation on the movement of water in foods.
This study has shown the importance of relating NMR spectroscopic information on the water in model food structures to the mechanical properties of those structures. Analysis of the NMR relaxation data can be used to examine the distribution of water domain sizes, and this has been related to the mechanical properties of the samples. A novel NMR probe-head has been designed, which allows both the NMR and the mechanical data to be simultaneously measured during compression of the sample. This probe-head allows compressive stress/strain data to be obtained directly from the NMR sample, allowing changes in the distribution of the water to be directly correlated to changes in mechanical properties.
Water Immobilization in Low-Fat Meat Batters
Water immobilization/entrapment in low-fat meat batters is a complex phenomenon which is not fully understood. Changes in both pore and particle size and matrix homogeneity can influence water-holding and textural properties of meat batters or gels. The importance of viscosity, polymer size and shape and partitioning of water by particles to entrapment of water in low-fat meat batters is illustrated. Microstructure properties such as pore size distribution may impact perception of juiciness but this has not been systematically studied. There is a need for standardization of water-holding capacity methodology and development of novel techniques to further explore mechanisms of water-holding in low-fat meat batters
Composite monolayer fabrication by an arc-spray process
A single layer (monotape) technique for fabricating complex high-temperature tungsten-fiber-reinforced superalloy composites is proposed. The fabrication of sheets of arc-sprayed monotape 38 cm wide and 122 cm long has been demonstrated. Composites fabricated using the method are shown to have equal tensile strength and a cleaner matrix than composites fabricated from powder metal cloth monotapes, and the present technique is less expensive than the powder metal fabrication techniques.