The Israeli start-up Consumer Physics has just announced the imminent marketing (December 2014) for 149 dollars, of a completely revolutionary object, the first miniature molecular sensor (spectroscope) allowing to instantly analyze the chemical composition of everything what is around you, food, plants, medicines, liquids,…
The device is called SCiO and has just been the subject of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The campaign was a resounding success and reached its initial goal within 24 hours, as investors perceived the technological breakthrough brought by the SCiO.
The use of SCiO gives the impression of participating in a Science Fiction experience, worthy of Star-Trek. It is enough for example to have the sensor against a piece of cheese to know how many calories it contains, its weight, its amount of fat, protein or carbohydrates. Regarding food, the uses are unlimited and range from the analysis of the quality of a cooking oil to the analysis of the alcohol level or the presence of a drug in a liquid, but the range of objects analyzed goes far beyond food because it is possible to check the composition of a drug or control the humidity level of a plant while being warned when it is not adequately irrigated. The results of these analyzes are immediately accessible on smartphones (IOS and Android) via a dedicated application.
The technology used and miniaturized is that of “near infrared spectroscopy” which is based on the fact that each type of molecule vibrates in a unique way, and that these vibrations interact with light to create their own unique and identifiable optical signature. This is why the SCIO has a light source which illuminates the analyzed object and an optical sensor (spectrometer) which collects the light reflected by the object. The spectrometer breaks down the light and identifies the molecules present in the object.
Until now, the spectrometers used for near infrared spectroscopy have been very expensive (several tens of thousands of euros) and bulky. The feat of Israeli researchers is to have managed to simplify the technology thanks to several new algorithms and to miniaturize the object. The success of this project and the intelligence of the pocket spectroscope concept are the fruit of the quality of the Israeli research team. Many engineers, from prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard or the Weizmann Institute, have created this technological breakthrough.
In recent days, the major players in the international press have become enthusiastic about the SCiO. Dror Sharon, CEO of “Consumer Physics” explained that in the near future the analytical possibilities of SCiO would be further expanded to measure the molecular properties of cosmetics, gemstones, and clothing.
Source: http://siliconwadi.fr/14448/revolution- ... t-au-monde
On video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrtGSEwfIJY