Nanostructured Device Created to Identify Liquids

Posted: August 9, 2011

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The researchers believe that the device has a wide range of applications. They are currently developing more precisely calibrated chips and conducting field tests with government partners for applications in quality assurance and contaminant identification. According to the researchers, W-Ink can be tuned to be sensitive to one formulation, thereby turning a different color if the formulation varies. Suggested application include: verifying the fuel grade of gasoline at the pump,  testing bootleg liquor for toxic levels of methanol and identifying chemical spills quickly.

The researchers noted that W-Ink was not created to rival gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, rather it was created to offer formulation analysis in a portable fashion. Perhaps the device could find application in personal care product analysis, either in scale-up or in testing products on the market.