Scientists in the UK are pushing forward the concept of Super RFID tags capable of sensory perception in harsh and difficult-to-access environments.

Instrumentel, a spinout company of the University of Leeds, has developed a wireless - and notably a battery-less - system that is ready for manufacture. Super RFID incorporates sensing using the RFID tag, enabling the supply chain data to be monitored and where necessary, an alert to be sent out - if for example, a refrigerated item should rise above a prescribed temperature limit.

Instrumentel, a spinout company of the University of Leeds, has developed a wireless - and notably a battery-less - system that is ready for manufacture. Super RFID incorporates sensing using the RFID tag, enabling the supply chain data to be monitored and where necessary, an alert to be sent out - if for example, a refrigerated item should rise above a prescribed temperature limit. The scientists believe that there are many benefits of Super RFID; from the economic savings made by reducing supply chain losses, through to increased efficiency and quality control procedures. In addition, the technology can be designed to give access control to authorised personnel only. This technology is suitable for a wide range of applications in the food, sector, as well as for controlling access to laboratory samples and forensic evidence. Instrumentel’s core technology enables critical parameters to be sensed in harsh and difficult-to-access environments. The battery-less operation of the Instrumentel system allows readings or data transfer to take place at scan points in the supply chain for control and asset management. The system can also actuate, and Instrumentel has designed unique locking mechanisms that can be applied to containers of virtually any size to secure goods throughout the supply chain. This security aspect of Super RFID is a vital consideration given the current emphasis on supply chain security and could also help suppliers and manufacturers under pressure to realise better cost margins. A recent report carried out by Deloitte Research for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT), suggest that rather than taking a holistic, global view of their businesses, most global manufacturers focus on addressing the individual pieces of their far-flung global network — the complex web of suppliers, production facilities, distribution centres and customers — that comprise their supply chain. Instrumentel’s locking system is already being trialled in the supply chain sector by award-winning Sheffield Company Loadhog (a subsidiary of Gripple). The combination of Instrumentel’s locking system and Loadhog’s revolutionary method of securing loads to pallets is gaining significant interest from the supermarket sector.