These founders look into your clothes
The Dresden based startup Senorics launches it’s first evaluation kit. The founders will present the test device at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Dresden/Las Vegas. Is the blouse made of silk? Or is there polyester in the T-shirt? Now it’s easy to find out. The Dresden-based company Senorics is launching an evaluation kit for its sensor technology. Customers can analyze the ingredients of various products by using infrared light. The test device initially demonstrates this using various textile materials.
No complex laboratory technology needed
The high-tech startup Senorics specializes in novel near-infrared spectroscopy sensors that are smaller than a one-cent coin. With the handheld measuring devices developed from this, analyzes can be carried out that previously only worked with large spectrometers in the laboratory. In infrared spectroscopy, a sample is irradiated with infrared light. On the basis of the wavelength distribution of the reflected light, ingredients can be recognized and their amount can be determined.
This technique also enables the detection of contaminants in a variety of liquid and solid substances. In addition to a measuring device, including cable and battery pack, the evaluation kit also contains a software for evaluating the results. “The device has two functions,” explains Robert Langer, one of the four founders of Senorics. On the one hand, the determined spectrum of the analyzed material can be displayed in the software. On the other hand, an algorithm enables the correct material names to be assigned to the spectral signals.
Test device costs 4,000 euros
The system was taught in advance how to identify these substances. In addition to silk and polyester, the device also recognizes wool and cotton. The evaluation kit will be available from mid-January 2020. It costs 4,000 euros. “First of all, the analysis of solids is possible,” continued Langer. Liquids can also be examined next year using the device and a special attachment. The set also includes a voucher. “Customers can use it for a customer-specific application,” Langer explains the offer. Then Senorics modifies the setup in order to recognize a substance that is particularly relevant in the customer’s processes.
Agricultural industry is also interested
The patented technology of the Saxon company is in demand. In addition to possible uses for checking food or textiles, the agricultural industry is also interested in the innovation. In the future, it would also be conceivable that the Senorics sensors will be integrated into smartphones. Then, for example, diabetics could already see in the supermarket whether a product contains sugar, or people with gluten intolerance would have the chance to quickly find out whether wheat was used in the food when they went to the restaurant. Know what’s inside – in just a few seconds.