Near infrared sensing techniques for initial preservative latex measurement

This paper presents an initial preservative latex measurement technique based on optical sensing. Previous technique used are based on laboratory method, which are the sample of latex need to undergo several laboratory experiments in order to determine the percentage of Dry Rubber Content (DRC) in 100g sample of latex. Present day, there is no portable technology available in market that can be used to differentiate the electrical properties for the different rubber clones based on latex that can be used for in situ testing. By developing a portable device prototype, it will help farmer and agriculture officer to identify latex clone produce by the rubber tree. This project use Near Infrared of 880nm and phototransistor of 900nm as signal transduction. The output from signal transduction circuit will gone through three(3) stage amplification using two(2) types of LM358 and INA122P operational amplifier. After amplification, signal will enter the Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) and the output voltage from testing process will be displayed. The tests conducted to obtained electrical properties of 30ml Latex 2008 sample are divided into three(3); that are initial testing, dilution test, and reproducibility test. The results obtained are tabulated in Microsoft Office Excel and the data produced are analyzed. As the dilution volume increased, the voltage produced decreased.