Nima (device)

Nima
Developer 6SensorLabs
Release date Mid-2016
Display OLED
Connectivity Bluetooth low energy
Power 320-mAh LiPo battery
Dimensions Length: 3.5 in Width: 1.0 in Height: 3.1 in
Website nimasensor.com

Nima is a portable device used to measure the gluten content of food. The product is still in development by 6SensorLabs and is set to ship near the middle of 2016, though the company began accepting pre-orders in October 2015.

Operation

A food sample is placed in a one-time use capsule, which is then screwed into the body of the triangular device. Once inside, the food is mixed with proprietary antibodies and analyzed by sensors for approximately two minutes. If the sample contains less than twenty parts per million of gluten (the same limit required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for gluten-free labeling), Nima displays a smiley face; otherwise a frowning face is displayed. The device has not been approved by the FDA, although the developers contest that such approval is not necessary because they "are not using it to diagnose or manage disease."[1]

6SensorLabs is also developing a companion application for iOS and Android, connected through Bluetooth, that would allow users to connect with other Nima owners and find allergen information for specific restaurants.[2] The company plans to eventually expand its technology to detect other allergens, as well as additives, GMOs, preservatives and possible causes of food poisoning.[3]

Reception

Nima was listed among Time magazine's best inventions of 2015.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Marcus, Mary Brophy (October 20, 2015). "Portable gluten test promises to ease dining woes". CBS News. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Matchar, Emily (September 9, 2015). "Test Your Restaurant Meal for Allergens in Two Minutes". Smithsonian.com. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Zipkin, Nina (October 6, 2015). "Avoiding Gluten? Take This New Device Out to Dinner.". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  4. ↑ TIME Staff. "The 25 Best Inventions of 2015". Time. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, March 03, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.