Coolest Inventions 2004: Fresh Ideas

NO NEED TO SQUEEZE

Judging the ripeness of fruit has always seemed more art than science. Now a firm in New Zealand has developed a sensor that detects when pears are ripe by analyzing the aromas emitted by the fruit. Attached to the inside of the fruit's plastic wrapping, the sensor goes from red to orange to yellow as the fruit ripens. Sensors for avocados, kiwis, melons and mangoes are in the works.

INVENTOR HortResearch

AVAILABILITY December

TO LEARN MORE www.ripesense.com

VISIBLE INK

The label on the Mar de Frades 2003 AlbariƱo, a crisp white wine produced on the...

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