UK developed hand-held detection equipment to identify fake wine

British technicians are developing a hand-held device that can quickly detect counterfeit whiskies and wines through bottles. The move is aimed at combating counterfeit whisky and wine.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association, in record-breaking 2010, the sales of popular alcoholic beverages increased UK exports by 3.45 billion pounds. Whiskey sales in the BRIC countries have also increased significantly. Which increased by 24% in China to reach 55 million pounds. At the same time, counterfeiting of whiskies and wines, however, has frequently occurred.

Today, scientists at the Space Research Center at the University of Leicester are working with colleagues at the University of Derryford to study a hand-held device that can detect the authenticity of wine and liquor through bottles.

The technology was previously developed by a team at the University of Leicester to detect counterfeit drugs by checking the packaging. Now, experts are working to turn this technology into a technology that can analyze the liquid in the bottle.

In addition to addressing the major issue of counterfeit whisky and wine, they believe that this technology also has significant potential for use in aviation safety systems.

This technology was originally developed from a part of the light meter, which relied mainly on detecting the different characteristics of the light reflected on the printed package.

"Now we want to apply this technology to the identification of whisky and wine," said Im Maskell of the Space Research Center at the University of Leicester.

"If we can use this technology, apply it to other liquids and do something similar, then it is possible to use this technology in airport security systems," he added.

Maskell said: “The fact that whisky or wine is authentic without opening the bottle cap will bring significant benefits to the beverage industry and provide opportunities in other areas such as airport and aviation safety.”