Know Labs Inc (KNW)

[socalhal]

Visualant in CNET!

http://asia.cnet.com/your-phone-may-detect-poisons-in-the-future-62219063.htm

by Nicholas Aaron Khoo | 12 October 2012 3:49pm SGT



Prototypes of Visualant's low-cost spectrometer.
(Credit: Visualant)

According to Wikipedia, a spectrometer is an instrument "used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically used in spectroscopic analysis to identify materials".

A company based out of Seattle called Visualant showcased a low-cost prototype spectrometer in Japan this week together with Sumitomo Precision Products which can be discretely installed and customized to fit anywhere, providing "safe, non-invasive, diagnostic and authentication solutions", according to the company.

The device carries Visualant's patented Spectral Pattern Matching (SPM) technology, which captures a spectral signature of minuscule color characteristics and properties in matter when matched against existing databases, can identify, detect, or diagnose markers invisible to the human eye.

SPM scanners can be integrated into a variety of mobile or fixed-mount form factors, making it possible to effectively conduct analyses in the field that could only previously be performed by large and expensive lab–based tests. Some potential applications include:

Health: Detection of disease markers in body fluids (like blood, saliva and urine) or from skin appearance.
Cosmetics: Skin tone assessment
Security: ID and pass key badge verification
Drugs: Identification of prescription and illicit drugs
Quality control: Detection of contaminants such as water in jet fuel, or toxic chemicals in food
Environment: Measurement of pollution and hazardous emissions

"This is a major milestone in Visualant's history, as our patented technology now comes to life in state-of-the-art devices manufactured by Sumitomo Precision Products," according to Visualant's CEO Ron Erickson. "In parallel, we are developing mobile apps enabling consumers to use the technology to improve their lives in exciting ways."

Mobile apps? Could this technology make it into the hands of everyday consumers? This geek reckons the day when this technology can be used through your smartphone's camera should still be sometime off, but I can certainly imagine a hardware add-on scanner attached to your iPhone 5 or Galaxy S3 for some great anti-forgery applications or environmental benefit.