Molecular scanner that can say exactly what you are eating

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi film, but a handheld gadget that can scan the molecular fingerprint of physical matter and instantly provides useful information about its chemical makeup has been launched, reports the Daily Mail.

Scalled Scios, its Israeli inventors say it could be used for everything from checking the calorie content of food to seeing if your medication really does include the drugs you expect.

The firm has said it could even be expanded to become a medical sensor, analysing human tissue or bodily fluids.

SCiO delivers real-time results to its mobile application on the user's smartphone via Bluetooth.
It works using near-IR spectroscopy.

The technique is based on the fact each type of molecule vibrates in its own unique way, and these vibrations interact with light to create a unique optical signature.

Smartphones give us instant answers to questions like where to have dinner, what movie to see, and how to get from point A to point B, but when it comes to learning about what we interact with on a daily basis we're left in the dark,” said Dror Sharon, CEO of Consumer Physics.

“We designed SCiO to empower explorers everywhere with new knowledge and to encourage them to join our mission of mapping the physical world.”

When the product ships to consumers this fall, it will include apps to help users identify the composition of food, medication, and plants.

The food app delivers macro nutrient values (calories, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins), produce quality, ripeness, and spoilage analysis for various foods, including cheeses, fruits, vegetables, sauces, salad dressings, cooking oils, and more.

SCiO can also identify and authenticate medication in real-time by cross-checking a pill's molecular makeup with a database of medications.

See more here.