Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have made a groundbreaking discovery about the capabilities of the magnetometer in smartphones. Originally used to power the digital compass, they have now found a way to utilize this technology for monitoring body chemistry, specifically glucose levels. This breakthrough could have significant implications for individuals managing diabetes.
In their proof-of-concept study, the scientists developed a small capsule device that could be attached to a Motorola Moto E smartphone, a model released last year. The capsule contained two thin hydrogel sheets embedded with magnetic particles. These hydrogel sheets were designed to react to the presence of glucose or specific pH levels in a liquid by expanding or contracting at different rates.
By using the smartphone’s magnetometer, the researchers were able to detect the movements of the magnetic particles as they were either brought closer or moved away from the phone. The result was a device that could accurately measure glucose levels with great precision.
The system demonstrated its ability to read sugar concentrations down to a few millionths of a mole, surpassing the requirements for testing glucose in a blood sample. This technology opens up the possibility of painless, daily glucose readings by analyzing saliva instead of relying on finger pricks.
Furthermore, the potential of this device extends beyond glucose monitoring. The researchers suggest that with the ability to detect pH levels, it could be used to test for various biological disorders characterized by shifting pH levels in the body. The accuracy of the device also makes it suitable for quick and easy measurement of histamines, potentially replacing more time-consuming and labor-intensive tests.
The implications of this discovery are not limited to the medical field. The magnetometer’s sensitivity can be comparable to expensive benchtop meters, making it a cost-effective tool for quality testing in various industries. Home brewers, bakers, and environmental scientists can utilize this technology to measure pH levels in liquids more accurately and conveniently.
Moving forward, the researchers aim to address challenges such as mass-production of the hydrogel test strips and ensuring their stability during storage. Once these hurdles are overcome, this groundbreaking technology could revolutionize diabetes management and open up new possibilities in monitoring and testing various substances.
The study documenting this exciting discovery has been published in the journal Nature Communications. With further advancements, the smartphone magnetometer could become an indispensable tool for understanding and managing our health and environment.
The groundbreaking discovery about the capabilities of the magnetometer in smartphones has significant implications for the healthcare industry, particularly for individuals managing diabetes. This technology has the potential to revolutionize glucose monitoring, offering painless and daily glucose readings by analyzing saliva instead of relying on finger pricks. The accuracy of the device also makes it suitable for testing various biological disorders characterized by shifting pH levels in the body (Nature Communications).
Not only limited to the medical field, the sensitivity of the smartphone magnetometer can be comparable to expensive benchtop meters, making it a cost-effective tool for quality testing in various industries. Home brewers, bakers, and environmental scientists can take advantage of this technology to measure pH levels in liquids more accurately and conveniently (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
Moving forward, researchers are focused on addressing challenges such as mass-production of the hydrogel test strips and ensuring their stability during storage. Overcoming these hurdles would greatly enhance the implementation of this groundbreaking technology, leading to its wider adoption in diabetes management and opening up new possibilities in monitoring and testing various substances. This smartphone magnetometer has the potential to become an indispensable tool for understanding and managing our health and environment in the future.