CANBERRA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Inspired by the multi-generational British TV show "Doctor Who", Australia physicists have developed a device which can perform a chemical analysis of any object, much like the show's "sonic screwdriver".
Physicists from the Australian National University (ANU) announced the device on Wednesday, which uses the power of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mass spectrometry to analyse the chemicals of any particular object,
Lead researcher Dr Marcus Doherty from ANU said in the same vein as Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver and Star Trek's "tricorder", the diamond-based quantum device would assist laboratories to do "full chemical analyses" of many different objects.
"Laboratories and hospitals will have the power to do full chemical analyses to solve complex problems with our device that they can afford and move around easily," Doherty said in a statement released on Wednesday.
"This device is going to enable many people to use powerful instruments like molecular MRI machines and mass spectrometers much more readily."
He said that, if the device becomes mass-produced, it could enable medical researchers to "weigh and identify complex molecules such as proteins", which could help practitioners identify diseases such as cancer, and perhaps even cures for those diseases further down the track.
"Every great advance for microscopy has driven scientific revolution," Doherty said.
"Our invention will help to solve many complex problems in a wide range of areas, including medical, environmental and biosecurity research."
