Project

Smartphone spectrometer for food sensing

Anshuman Das

A smartphone based spectrometer design that is standalone and supported on a wireless platform. The device is low-cost and the power consumption is minimal making it portable to perform a range of studies in the field. Essential components of the device like the light source, spectrometer, filters, microcontroller and wireless circuits have been assembled in a housing that fits into a pocket and the entire device weighs 48 g. The device has a dedicated app on the smartphone to communicate, receive, plot and analyze spectral data. Validations of the device were carried out by demonstrating non-destructive ripeness testing in fruits. Ultra-Violet fluorescence from Chlorophyll present in the skin was measured across various apple varieties during the ripening process and correlated with destructive firmness tests. This demonstration is a step towards possible consumer, bio-sensing and diagnostic applications that can be carried out in a rapid manner.