I happened to learn about this amazing Israeli invention from an app called Kickstarter, which raised almost $3 million from people like me to prepare this device for marketing. I invested $35, and will get a SCiO T-shirt when my SCiO is shipped in March.
What is it? How does it work?
SCiO (“to know” in Latin) is the world's first affordable ($250), handheld, molecular sensor. SCiO is a tiny spectrometer that will allow me to get instant information about the chemical make-up of just about anything around me, sent directly to my iPhone. SCiO includes a light source that illuminates the sample and an optical sensor called a spectrometer that collects the light reflected from the sample. The spectrometer breaks down the light to its spectrum, which includes all the information required to detect the result of this interaction between the illuminated light and the molecules in the sample.
Is It Practical?
What will I be able to do with SCiO?
At first, SCiO will be able to tell me about foods, plants, and medicines.
I'll be able to easily locate the ripest watermelon at Ralphs – right through the peel. I'll know how much sugar is in my smoothie. I can find out the quality and purity of my cooking oil. I'll be able to know how dried out my plants are. And I will be able to identify stray pills and supplements.
Every time a person uses SCiO, he or she is helping to build a database of knowledge about the stuff around us. This information goes right back to the community of users. I will receive free SCIO applications for the next two years. Future applications are said to include the ability to check samples from cosmetics, clothes, soil, jewels, precious stones, leather, rubber, oils, plastics, and even human tissue or bodily fluids.
I look forward to holding my SCiO to a tree to get its name, and to my body to see if I have enough calcium for my bones. I imagine I will keep SCiO with me at all times. I can just see myself poking everything I see. Isn't the future exciting?
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com