To help you become more familiar with vacuum, we explain how vacuum technology is applied.
Let’s try to get to know the vacuum that is used in various fields such as food, medicine, space industry and automotive.
Contents
Food and vacuum
Food Packing
Vacuum packaging is used for food to keep it fresh by creating a vacuum inside.
Dried food
Egg soups, porridge and dried foods that are ready to eat by just adding hot water are made by ‘vacuum freeze-drying’.
Shochu (Japanese liquor similar to vodka)
Shochu is produced by atmospheric distillation (atmospheric pressure) and decompression distillation (vacuum).
Egg carton
The transparent case containing the eggs is made by vacuum forming.
Bag of snacks
When bagging snacks, vacuum suction is used to ensure the bags are opened.
Potato chips
It is made by vacuum frying thin slices of potato, deep-frying them at low temperature and dehydrating them.
Milk production
Vacuum suction systems are used to milk dairy cows.
Vacuum flask
Water bottles for leisure or at work.
The reason why you can drink a warm drink for a long time is because the water bottle uses the vacuum principle that retains heat.
Rice cooker
The reason why we can eat delicious rice is because the rice cooker has a vacuum structure.
It works by placing rice and water in the rice cooker and reducing the pressure.
Fresh storage
The system is designed to keep food fresh, such as fish and meat, as depressurization of the fridge reduces the amount of oxygen.
Printing industry and vacuum
Banknote calculator
The notes are counted accurately one by one using vacuum suction.
Printing machine
The paper in the printing machine can be fed precisely one sheet at a time, thanks to the use of vacuum suction.
Medical and vacuum
Vacuum blood collection tube
Vacuum blood collection tubes have the advantage that the required blood volume can be maintained by simply replacing the collection tube, without the need to transfer the blood into a test tube after collection.
A medical device that is less labor-intensive, reduces the risk of infection and lightens the burden on both the person taking the blood sample and the patient.
Radiation therapy machine
It is equipped with a small accelerator that emits high-energy X-rays, which radiate X-rays to the patient’s lesion for treatment.
Vacuum pumps are employed in the accelerator.
Dentist
Vacuum hoses are used to suction saliva and abrasive particles during dental treatment.
This vacuum hose uses a vacuum.
Pharmaceutical production
Vaccine production requires long-term storage.
For this purpose, liquid pharmaceuticals are vacuum lyophilized to an unheated dry state.
Housing industry and vacuum
Insulating glass
Residential insulating glass is double glazed, with a vacuum between the two panes of glass to provide insulation.
Vacuum solar system
It has a simple structure that uses sunlight to heat the water in the vacuum glass tube.
This water heater uses sunlight as its heat source.
The inside of the glass tube is vacuumed for thermal insulation.
Automotive industry and vacuum
Shield beam
Reflective mirrors for cars and bicycles are made of aluminum formed by vacuum evaporation on the mirror surface of molded resin and used as the reflective coating.
Aerospace and vacuum
Aircraft weight reduction
Modern aircraft use carbon fiber structural materials, which are made by vacuum impregnating carbon fibers with epoxy-based resins, molding and solidifying them.
Space chambers
Space chambers are used to test whether components of satellites and rockets can withstand the space environment.
References: 著書 「真空の科学 おもしろサイエンス」 日刊工業新聞社
Summary
This article introduced familiar examples of vacuum.
We now know that vacuum technology is close to us and is used in a wide range of applications.
SUGA manufactures and sells vacuum-based deposition equipment.
We also offer a test deposition service, so feel free to contact us for more information.
For more information on the Deposition Test Service, please click here.
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