Hey there! Today, we’re diving into an exciting new invention that could change the way we look at the world around us. It’s called Scio, a molecular scanner developed by a company named Consumer Physics. This gadget is like something out of a sci-fi movie, and it’s here to help us understand the chemical makeup of everyday objects.
Scio uses a clever technique to analyze objects. It shines a beam of infrared light onto the item you want to scan. Then, a built-in tool called a spectrometer examines the light that bounces back. Each material absorbs light differently, and Scio uses this information to identify what the object is made of by comparing it to a huge database. The results are sent straight to your smartphone using Bluetooth.
Scio is super versatile! For food, you can scan an item, enter its weight, and quickly find out its nutritional content, like calories, fats, carbs, and proteins. It can even tell you if your food is fresh or spoiled, which is handy for things like cheese, fruits, and vegetables.
But wait, there’s more! Scio isn’t just for food. It can also help with plants by checking their moisture levels, so you know when to water them. Plus, if you buy medicine online, Scio can verify if it’s the real deal.
The creators of Scio have big dreams. They want to expand its abilities to analyze all sorts of things, like cosmetics, clothing, jewelry, and even human tissues. Imagine having this technology built right into your smartphone one day!
When Scio hits the market, it will cost $149. It’s already a hit on Kickstarter, surpassing its $200,000 goal. If you’re interested, you can support their campaign until June 15th.
Speaking of amazing inventions, Discovery Digital and BASF are teaming up to inspire young minds. They’re inviting kids to create a 2-4 minute video showcasing a cool science experiment related to chemistry, sustainability, innovation, technology, or energy.
The grand prize is a $10,000 college scholarship, an iPad, and a prize pack from Stuff To Blow Your Mind. To enter, submit your video to stufftoblowyourmind.com/science-awards by May 23rd. The winner will be announced on June 6th, and their video will be featured on StuffToBlowYourMind.com.
So, get creative and start filming! If you have any questions or comments about this topic, feel free to share them. Thanks for reading, and happy experimenting!
Using everyday materials like cardboard, plastic, and colored paper, build a model of a molecular scanner. Label each part and explain how it mimics the real Scio device. This hands-on activity will help you understand the components and functionality of the scanner.
Conduct a simple experiment to explore how different materials absorb infrared light. Use a remote control and a digital camera to see how infrared light interacts with various objects. Document your findings and discuss how this relates to Scio’s technology.
Choose a food item and research its nutritional content. Then, compare your findings with the data that Scio might provide. Present your analysis in a creative format, such as a poster or a digital presentation, highlighting the benefits of using Scio for nutritional information.
Set up a small experiment to monitor the moisture levels of a plant over a week. Use simple tools like a moisture meter or a homemade hygrometer. Record your observations and discuss how Scio could enhance this process with its technology.
In groups, brainstorm and create a presentation on potential future applications of Scio technology. Consider areas like healthcare, fashion, or environmental science. Share your ideas with the class and discuss the impact these innovations could have on society.
This episode of DNews is brought to you by BASF, the chemical company. Still counting your calories? That’s so 2014. Hey everyone, Tara here for DNews, with one of the coolest inventions I’ve seen in a long time. A company called Consumer Physics just launched the Scio, a molecular scanner that can analyze physical objects and provide a breakdown of their chemical makeup.
It works by flashing a beam of infrared light onto the material being scanned, then using a built-in spectrometer to analyze the reflected light. The spectrometer determines the absorption rate of the material, which varies for each object, and cross-references that against a database of materials to identify it. The data is then sent to your smartphone via Bluetooth LE.
For food, you can scan an item, enter the approximate weight, and within seconds, receive a breakdown of the calories, fats, carbs, and proteins. It can also assess the quality of the food, including aspects like ripeness and spoilage for items such as cheese, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and salad dressings.
But it’s not just for food! It also works on plants and medications. For plants, it can analyze moisture levels and indicate when they need watering. For medications, if you order online from another country, you can scan the product to verify its authenticity.
The goal is to expand Scio’s capabilities to cover a wide range of physical objects, including cosmetics, clothing, jewelry, plastics, and even human tissue and bodily fluids. One day, the creators hope to integrate this technology directly into smartphones, which would be incredible.
When it launches, the Scio will be priced at $149. They’ve already exceeded their Kickstarter goal of $200,000, with several weeks remaining. If you’re interested in supporting it, check out their Kickstarter by June 15th.
Speaking of great inventions, Discovery Digital and BASF are collaborating again to inspire kids to use their imagination and showcase their knowledge of science. Children in grades K-8 are invited to submit a 2-4 minute video about an educational and creative science experiment related to chemistry, sustainability, innovation, technology, or energy.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship, along with an iPad and a prize pack from Stuff To Blow Your Mind. To enter, submit your video to stufftoblowyourmind.com/science-awards by May 23rd. The winner will be announced on June 6th, and the winning video will be featured on StuffToBlowYourMind.com.
So, get your submissions in! In the meantime, if you have questions or comments about this episode, feel free to leave them below. Otherwise, thanks for watching!
Scio – A Latin root meaning “to know” or “knowledge,” often used in scientific contexts to denote understanding or awareness. – In chemistry class, we use our scio to understand how different elements react with each other.
Molecular – Relating to or consisting of molecules, which are groups of atoms bonded together. – The molecular structure of water consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.
Scanner – A device that examines or analyzes objects, often used in scientific research to gather data. – The laboratory scanner helped us analyze the chemical composition of the unknown substance.
Chemistry – The branch of science that studies the properties, composition, and behavior of matter. – In chemistry, we learned how different elements combine to form compounds.
Infrared – A type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light, often used in heat detection. – Infrared cameras can detect heat emitted by objects, making them useful in scientific experiments.
Light – Electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye and is responsible for the sense of sight. – In our physics class, we studied how light refracts when it passes through a prism.
Spectrometer – An instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, often used in chemical analysis. – The spectrometer allowed us to identify the elements present in the star’s light spectrum.
Database – A structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways for scientific research. – We used the chemistry database to find information on the properties of different compounds.
Nutrition – The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth, often studied in biology and chemistry. – Understanding the chemistry of nutrition helps us know how different foods affect our bodies.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and research. – Advances in technology have allowed scientists to conduct experiments more efficiently and accurately.
