Turning smartphones into Tricorders

Tel Aviv University researchers have developed the ability to turn smartphones into powerful hyperspectral sensors, capable of identifying the chemical components of objects from a distance. The invention is reminiscent of the multifunctional ‘Tricorder’ from the TV series Star Trek, which beams sensors at objects to obtain instant results.

Professor David Mendlovic, doctoral student Ariel Raz and researchers from start-up company Unispectral patented an optical component based on existing microelectromechanical (MEMS) technology, suitable for mass production and compatible with standard smartphone camera designs. The combination of this optical component with newly designed image processing software is said to offer high-quality imaging performance and hyperspectral imaging capabilities.

“The optical element acts as a tuneable filter and the software - an image fusion library - would support this new component and extract all the relevant information from the image,” said Professor Mendlovic. He added that the imaging works in both video and still photography.

Every material object has a hyperspectral signature - its own distinctive chemical fingerprint. Once the camera acquires an image, the data would be further analysed to extract the hyperspectral content at any location in the image. Unispectral is now in talks with other companies to analyse data from its cameras’ images, which would require a large database of hyperspectral signatures.

Professor Mendlovic said the team unveiled the demonstration system at Mobile World Congress Barcelona in March, where they received “excellent feedback”. The prototype is currently scheduled for release in June and Unispectral is now in advanced discussions with major smartphone makers, automotive companies and wearable device makers to move the technology forward.

“A long list of fields stand to gain from this new technology,” said Professor Mendlovic. “We predict hyperspectral imaging will play a major role in consumer electronics, the automotive industry, biotechnology and homeland security.”

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