Imogen Adams, a student at London's Brunel University, has developed a device that will make visiting restaurants easier for many. Ally, as she named it, will immediately detect substances in food to which you may be allergic, thereby preventing your gourmet experience from turning into an unpleasant one.
Ally it works by putting a small piece of food and a drop of water into a small silicone container, even before you take your first bite. Thus, the two samples will sink into test strip, which you then insert into the slot in the device. On launch the application on your mobile phone, press the button in the middle of the device and wait 60 seconds, to complete the testing process. On phone then read the results, and at the same time Ally also vibrates to signal whether there is danger or not. Half of the test strip is coated with the enzyme lactase, which turns colored when lactose is present in the food. The test actually resembles a pregnancy test, as the tester also changes color when a certain hormone is present.
The author estimates that the device will cost approx 28 euros, and the test strip 0.17 euros.
Gallery - ALLY: a pocket device that tests the presence of allergens and gluten in food
More information:
brunel.ac.uk
