World’s first pocket spectrometer lets you measure the molecular makeup of nearly anything
Another example of how expensive and large machines are made cheaper and smaller, the SCIO is a hand-held spectrometer, similar to the machines that would cost tens of thousands of dollars in a laboratory.
This $250 device, is a wireless scanner that registers the light reflected off of an item. It transfers the information to an online database which immediately returns the chemical makeup of the scanned item. It is, essentially, a blend of a lab spectrometer and a smart phone camera.
“SCiO is based on the proven near-IR spectroscopy method,” writes Consumer Physics. “The physical basis for this material analysis method is that each type of molecule vibrates in its own unique way, and these vibrations interact with light to create a unique optical signature.”
“With every scan, SCiO learns more about the world around us, so we can all get smarter,” the Israel-based developers continue. “Our development team has taught SCiO some exciting things, like to tell how much fat is in any salad dressing, how much sugar is in a particular piece of fruit, how pure an oil is and lots more.”
Putting this kind of information in the hands of the masses is exciting. Now we can know exactly what our food is made up of, regardless of labels that may or may not be accurate.
The company points out that it is not a medical device and to not rely on it for avoiding allergens. “Since SCiO is designed to measure small portions of a sample or food at a time, it cannot guarantee the absence of specific molecules on your plate, or in a serving. SCiO can tell you major components of foods (i.e. with typical concentration of 1% or more), while some allergens can be hazardous even in lower concentrations.”
I've wanted one of these for a long time. Science wins again.
https://www.consumerphysics.com/myscio/