Unispectral Technologies, an Israel-based spin-out of Tel Aviv University that is backed by conglomerate Tata, has developed technology that can turn a smartphone into a hyperspectral sensor.

With an optical lens and image processing software, Unispectral’s technology allows a regular smartphone to break down the chemical components of almost any object it is pointed at.

Essentially, the software can keep an image’s resolution clean while the lens zooms further in, picking up hyperspectral signatures of materials used in an object’s construction.

Potential uses include determining whether an object is genuine or fake. One such deployment suggested by the Unispectral team is analysing milk in China, which would prevent baby deaths which have been on the rise in the country due to fake milk.

Backers of the company include investment firm Temasek and the Momentum Fund, a university venture capital fund managed by Tel Aviv’s tech transfer office Ramot and backed by Tata Group.

– A version of this piece originally ran on our sister site, Global University Venturing.

Unispectral Technologies, a spin-out of Tel Aviv University, has developed technology that can turn a smartphone into a hyperspectral sensor.

With an optical lens and image processing software, Unispectral’s technology allows a regular smartphone to break down the chemical components of almost any object it is pointed at. Essentially, the software can keep an image’s resolution clean while the lens zooms further in, picking up hyperspectral signatures of materials used in an object’s construction.

Potential uses include determining whether an object is genuine or fake. One such deployment suggested by the Unispectral team is analysing milk in China, which would prevent baby deaths which have been on the rise in the country due to fake milk.

Backers of the company include investment firm Temasek and the Momentum Fund, a university venture capital fund managed by Tel Aviv’s tech transfer office Ramot and backed by Tata Group.