NASA Creates Chemical Gas Detecting Smartphone Accessory

Imagine your phone being able to protect you from dangerous chemicals and maybe even analyze your current health condition. Imagine conveniences like that being supplied from a tiny accessory connected to the bottom of your iphone or whatever smart phone you use.

From the mind of Jing Li, a scientist from NASA Ames, comes a new smartphone accessory that has the potential to recognize various chemical compounds in the air. What the accessory can accomplish was demonstrated on September 28, 2011, at the Los Angeles Department, Los Angeles, where it was used to detect carbon monoxide in a response and rescue training exercise for the Los Angeles fire and police departments. The demonstration showed the innovative technology, named Cell-all. Cell-all has unlimited applications; it can be used for environmental monitoring of air pollutants, chemical and fuel leak detection, and homeland security defense purposes like warfare agent detection, and at airports for explosives trace detection.

Moreover, what is most exciting is that the Cell-all technology could be a common accessory for the common-man in the near future. The nanosensor technology originally developed by NASA is now being reined in by the Department of Homeland Security, funding the project to bring Cell-all to the consumer. By connecting to smartphones, this life-saving and convenient technology is able to be marketed among a medium that is present among almost everyone in society. As expected from a chemical sensor, it is being developed to monitor carbon monoxide, chlorine, ammonia, and methane in the house.

What lies beyond the initial potential of the technology is what is really exciting however. Instead of just monitoring chemical levels in the air, what if it was used to diagnose gaseous compounds in the human body? There are many correlations between gaseous compounds and medical illnesses. For example, there is a correlation between the level of acetone in the blood and the level of sugar in the blood; it might become a useful a tool of measurment for diabetics. There is also a correlation between nitrous oxide and lung cancer. Scientists have already trained dogs to sniff the chemicals that we humans can’t, and there are already ways to test blood, but having to just breath into this device seems like a huge jump from many finger pricks and carrying a dog by one’s side. Take it a step further and introduce it into daily life even more. How many lives are lost due to ignorance and drunk driving? Engineer the sensor to detect alcohol; a simple breath of air will give the blood alcohol content, a red flag signaling those with the conscious to check beforehand not to drive.As the device hasn’t been released to the public yet, what has been imagined so far only scratches the surface of it’s potential uses.

It makes sense for the sensor to be very small, because it’s built for the phone. The sensor is approximately the size of a postage stamp, with the nanosensor being less than a centimeter small. It’s size also foresees the technology being directly built into future models of phones, making the sensor a most likely addition and mainstay due to phone companies trying to one-up each other. Most of mobile technology is just for entertainment, but this sensor will pioneer the way public technology is used. The way that the sensor is marketed to the average consumer is clever; a smartphone is common nowadays and is always by its owner’s side. As more and more people turn to smartphones, the technology will only improve because data will be collected from many sources rather than one person. Data from multiple smartphones will allow adequate diagnosis of a situation and will allow a quick response to first responders; this is in hopes of reducing human error and panic in these kinds of situations. Most people even neglect the chemical detectors in their own homes, neglecting to change the batteries every few months, and finding the false alarms from burning food a nuisance. A cellphone usually gives off the presence of being ubiquitous, everywhere and just where you need it. Mostly just a glance away, warning of chemical detection will be noticed quickly and efficiently.

A junior from Crescenta Valley High School, Jeff Choi, agrees with the possible benefits of this nanosensor. After being told the abilities of the nanosensor, he replied ” The nanosensor would be very good. Like other people, I always keep my phone close and even if it’s lost, it’s easy to find with a simple phone call. My parents have smart phones too, and it would be nice to have a chemical sensor that isn’t just limited to home. It would also feel like having a professional who could tell you how much and what it means by your side all the time. It would be really good for the majority of people, adults and professionals in the field alike.”

Although it’s nothing more than a concept since the sensor isn’t released, there’s good reason to believe that the manufacturers will go beyond what is expected. After all, the sensor was originally designed to work all the way in space for NASA. A feat like that minimized for use thousands of feet below at home gives off a feeling of good hope. Expect this technology not only to arrive to your phone, but to wherever there are people, making communities a safer place. “Just as Bill Gates once envisioned a computer on every desk at home, so Stephen Dennis envisions a chemical sensor in every cell phone in every pocket, purse, or belt holster,” the Department of Homeland Security exclaims.

Edward Kim

HELLO my name is Edward KIM. I'm an editor and senior from Crescenta Valley High School, and wow life is so beautiful isn't it? I own the cutest dog in the world, and I recently started growing a mango tree from the pit of a mango I ate. It's only a wee sapling now though (•‿•)

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