Tricorder invented - again!

Scientists Invent Real-life 'Tricorder' For Chemical Analysis

Science Daily — Purdue University researchers have created a handheld sensing system its creators liken to Star Trek's "tricorder" used to analyze the chemical components of alien worlds. But the system could have down-to-earth applications, such as testing foods for dangerous bacterial contaminants including salmonella, which was recently found in a popular brand of peanut butter.

Researchers at Purdue have created a miniature mass spectrometer that promises to have applications in everything from airport security to medical diagnostics. Pictured here is a prototype, the Mini 10 portable mass spectrometer, which is roughly the size of a shoebox and can easily be carried with one hand. The instrument is 13.5 inches long by 8.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches tall and weighs 10 kilograms (22 pounds), compared to about 30 times that weight for a conventional mass spectrometer. It also can run on battery power. (Credit: Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)

Oddly enough, I blogged about a similar invention March of last year (and the news release came out a year before that)...that one was a variation of what's known as a Raman Spectroscope, supposedly just larger than a cell phone, and projected to be available June of last year for a few thousand dollars.

I spent a few minutes cruising through the pipes of the internet and found that

the Tricorder is available NOW!

Innovative Chemical Identification Products for Security and Safety

The rapid identification of potentially hazardous materials including toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), toxic industrial materials (TIMs), explosives, drugs and narcotics is becoming increasing critical to military and civilian first responders.

http://www.ahuracorp.com/first_defender.html

FirstDefender is an all-optical system based on Raman spectroscopy. Key benefits include: Vast sample library including: explosives, toxic chemicals, white-powders, narcotics, contraband and forensics Mixture analysis software identifies the components of mixtures in seconds, extending the library to billions of combinations Lightweight – Less than 4 lbs, including battery and internal computer 5 Hour operational battery life Rugged, waterproof and chemically resilient Operates over wide temperature range (-20C to 40C) Dual mode (in sample vials or directly onto sample) No calibration and no consumables Operates through glass bottles and plastic bags without opening them 24/7 support Integrated NIOSH and CAMEO database for on-the-spot reference