An ordinary smartphone turned into a chemical detector that finds pathogens

Modern mobile phones come with high quality cameras. They detect even the weak

light and eliminate digital noise due tosoftware processing of captured images. This sensitivity of the devices has been used to create cameras for mobile phones, which are already used as portable microscopes and heart rate sensors. 

To turn an ordinary smartphone into a chemical onedetector, scientists used fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. The first method measures the fluorescent light emitted by the sample. The second is useful for detecting molecules such as DNA and RNA that do not fluoresce and do not emit very low intensity light. 

The system includes an inexpensive diode laser inas a light source, oriented at right angles to the line connecting the sample and the cell phone camera. It is the right angle position that prevents reflected light from getting back into the camera.

Additional components including laser,increase the cost of a regular mobile phone by only $ 50. An inexpensive but accurate instrument suitable for detecting chemicals and pathogens in the field.

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