Revolutionary portable lab for rapid and low-cost diagnosis
Saturday, February 15, 2014 - 05:02
in Physics & Chemistry
Do you remember James Bond film Casino Royale? After being poisoned, the agent uses a portable diagnostic kit to identify the toxic substance and alert his HQ in London. Such type of technology is not fiction anymore. Researchers have developed a ground-breaking diagnostic system based on smart cards and skin patches combined with a portable reader. Test results can directly be sent to a remote computer, a tablet or a smartphone through a wireless connection. This small lab can already detect cocaine consumption, monitor colon cancer, identify bacteria in food and analyze environmental contamination. Many other useful applications can be foreseen.