RSS Feeds
Science
Scientists Build Portable Life-Signs Detector: Tricorder 1.0
Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 11:15 PM on June 24, 2008
A team of US and UK scientists have invented a portable scanner that may be useful in the hunt for life on Mars. And it sounds a whole lot like a Star Trek tricorder: it uses a beam of ultraviolet laser light and detects fluorescence from organic molecules, so it works remotely and doesn't damage samples. Under simulated-Mars conditions, they've used it to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (found on comets, thought to be building-blocks of life) in masses as small as 1.5 micrograms. Plus they think the tech could be adapted to be rugged and fitted onto a future Mars rover. Just wait for the handheld version, and for an astronaut to start going "widdlywee..." as they stomp around Mars. [Eurekalert via IO9]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Rick36
Posted 11:57 PM 24/6/08
Marvin the Martian better stock up on UVA and UVB-protecting sun screen.
Rick36
Daimyo Nintendo
Posted 11:40 PM 24/6/08
Star Trek 1 Star Wars 0
Daimyo Nintendo
Bitstuff
Posted 11:40 PM 24/6/08
@mister_s:
Yes.
But all the ones secretly walking amongst us might be revealed as well. *looks over shoulder* I don't think they'd like that.
Bitstuff
mister_s
Posted 11:38 PM 24/6/08
@Bitstuff: at this stage, finding an android not built by us will be a great thing too.dont u think?
mister_s
Jones91
Posted 11:27 PM 24/6/08
its all fun and games until the machine suddenly picks up large traces of organic material and the next thing you know your upside down with tribal martians going "woo woo woo woo"
Jones91
Bitstuff
Posted 11:23 PM 24/6/08
It would also detect androids with organic skin then, huh? Bad.
Bitstuff
jkoppee
Posted 11:19 PM 24/6/08
but can you set it to stun?
jkoppee
Bitstuff
Posted 12:19 AM 25/6/08
@mister_s:
Yes, of course; I'm an idiot. I blame work, sleep deprivation, kittens and a headache!
Bitstuff
mister_s
Posted 12:04 AM 25/6/08
@Bitstuff: but amongst us they ll just appear as life forms. But they ll definitely have to plan their move to another planet before the version 2.0 comes out
mister_s
wjousts
Posted 12:58 AM 25/6/08
Please, it detects fluorescence from organic molecules. This is not the same as detecting life.
wjousts
Rabid Penguin
Posted 12:55 AM 25/6/08
"...it uses a beam of ultraviolet laser light and detects fluorescence from organic molecules, so it works remotely and doesn't damage samples."
Unless the samples are harmed by ultraviolet light. This could be detrimental to the vampire population of Mars.
Rabid Penguin
Erzengel
Posted 12:53 AM 25/6/08
@Daimyo Nintendo: Are you kidding me? considering the amount of star trek based science we have today, it would look more like Star Trek 186435 - Star Wars 0.
Erzengel
VideoVampire
Posted 12:49 AM 25/6/08
But can you adapt the power cell to configure your android buddy's brain to send a tachyon burst transmission to let the Enterprise know that the Romulans incursion into the Demilitarized Zone is not an act of war?
VideoVampire
MayorBee
Posted 1:55 AM 25/6/08
@wjousts: Thanks a lot, Buzz Killington. :)
MayorBee
wjousts
Posted 3:29 AM 25/6/08
@behavin: Organic molecules = good indication that life has/could/will exist in that location.
Not necessarily. There are many non-biological path to organic molecules, just as there are many organic molecules that have no connection to life whatsoever.
wjousts
Kit Eaton
Posted 3:13 AM 25/6/08
@Karinabob: :-) pleased to be of service. Phasers set to "passing ice cream van"...
Kit Eaton
Karinabob
Posted 3:07 AM 25/6/08
AHAHAHAAAA!!! I absolutely LOVE that picture with the little speech bubble! Thats actually my favorite show by Eddie Izzard! Props, my good sirs, props.
Karinabob
packetsniffer
Posted 3:06 AM 25/6/08
Don't we already have these for detecting bodily fluids at crime scenes?
packetsniffer
behavin
Posted 2:51 AM 25/6/08
@wjousts: Organic molecules = good indication that life has/could/will exist in that location. That's what we're trying to figure out on mars, now aint it?
behavin
Karinabob
Posted 4:24 AM 25/6/08
@Kit Eaton: I see your ice cream van and raise you a "sudden interest in Botany..."
Karinabob
flatlinebb
Posted 5:09 AM 25/6/08
@Rabid Penguin:
LOL! Thanx! Now my monitor is wearing my sandwich!
flatlinebb
ps61318
Posted 4:53 AM 25/6/08
@wjousts: unnnnnnnmmmmmmmmnnmm. Right!
ps61318
The Amazing Ant
Posted 6:27 AM 25/6/08
@Erzengel: You mean like flip-phones vs the original communicators, and all these touch-screen phones vs their data pads?
Better make that 186437...
The Amazing Ant
Tric
Posted 2:31 PM 25/6/08
Add it to THIS: [tech.groups.yahoo.com]
and the result might be finally close to the real thing...@The Amazing Ant:
Tric