We demonstrate a smartphone based spectrometer design that is standalone and supported on a wireless platform. The device is inherently low-cost and the power consumption is minimal making it portable to carry out a range of studies in the field. All essential components of the device like the light source, spectrometer, filters, microcontroller and wireless circuits have been assembled in a housing of dimensions 88 mm × 37 mm × 22 mm and the entire device weighs 48 g. The resolution of the spectrometer is 15 nm, delivering accurate and repeatable measurements. The device has a dedicated app interface on the smartphone to communicate, receive, plot and analyze spectral data. The performance of the smartphone spectrometer is comparable to existing bench-top spectrometers in terms of stability and wavelength resolution. Validations of the device were carried out by demonstrating non-destructive ripeness testing in fruit samples. Ultra-Violet (UV) fluorescence from Chlorophyll present in the skin was measured across various apple varieties during the ripening process and correlated with destructive firmness tests. A satisfactory agreement was observed between ripeness and fluorescence signals. This demonstration is a step towards possible consumer, bio-sensing and diagnostic applications that can be carried out in a rapid manner.
We demonstrate a highly sensitive mobile phone based spectrometer that has potential to detect cancerous skin lesions in a rapid, non-invasive manner. Earlier reports of low cost spectrometers utilize the camera of the mobile phone to image the field after moving through a diffraction grating. These approaches are inherently limited by the closed nature of mobile phone image sensors and built in optical elements. The system presented uses a novel integrated grating and sensor that is compact, accurate and calibrated. Resolutions of about 10 nm can be achieved. Additionally, UV and visible LED excitation sources are built into the device. Data collection and analysis is simplified using the wireless interfaces and logical control on the smart phone. Furthermore, by utilizing an external sensor, the mobile phone camera can be used in conjunction with spectral measurements. We are exploring ways to use this device to measure endogenous fluorescence of skin in order to distinguish cancerous from non-cancerous lesions with a mobile phone based dermatoscope.
In this study, a robotic fish inspired by carangiform swimmers is developed. The artifact presents a new transmission system that employs the magnetic field interaction of permanent magnets to ensure waterproofness and prevention from any overload for the structure and the actuating motor. This mechanism converts the rotary motion of the motor into oscillatory motion. This oscillating system, along with the wire-driven mechanism of the tail, generates the required traveling wave in the robotic fish. The complete free swimming robotic fish, measuring 179 mm in length with a mass of only 77 g, was able to maintain correct posture and neutral buoyancy in water. Multiple experiments were conducted to test the robotic fish performance. It could swim with a maximal speed of 0.73 body lengths per second (0.13 m/s) at a tail beat frequency of 3.25 Hz and an electric power consumption of 0.67 W. Furthermore, the robotic fish touched the upper bound of the efficient swimming range, expressed by the dimensionless Strouhal number: 0.43 at 1.75 Hz tail beat frequency. The lowest energy to travel 1 meter was 4.73 Joules for the final prototype. Future works will focus on endowing the robot with energy and navigation autonomy, and on testing its potential for real-world applications such as environmental monitoring and animal–robot interaction.
Between 7-18 million Americans suffer from sleep disordered breathing (SDB), including those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Despite this high prevalence and burden of OSA, existing diagnostic techniques remain impractical for widespread screening. In this study, we introduce a new model for OSA screening and describe an at-home wearable sleep mask (named ARAM) that can robustly track the wearers' sleep patterns. This monitoring is achieved using select sensors that enable screening and monitoring in a form-factor that can be easily self-instrumented. Based on feedback from sleep doctors and technicians, we incorporate the most valuable sensors for OSA diagnosis, while maintaining ease-of-use and comfort for the patient. We discuss the results of preliminary field trials, where both our sleep mask and a commercially available device were worn simultaneously to evaluate our device's robustness. Based on these results, we discuss next steps for the design of the screening system, including analyses techniques that would provide more efficient screening than existing systems.
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