Nima (device)

Nima
Developer Nima (fka 6SensorLabs)
Display OLED
Connectivity Bluetooth low energy
Power 320-mAh LiPo battery
Dimensions Length: 3.5 in Width: 1.0 in Height: 3.1 in
Website nimasensor.com

Nima is a portable connected food sensor. The first product, a gluten sensor was released in Fall 2016. The second product, a peanut sensor is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2018.

Operation

A food sample is placed in a one-time use capsule, which is inserted into the Nima sensor. Once the test begins, the food is mixed with proprietary antibodies and analyzed by the sensor for approximately two to three minutes. If the sample contains less than twenty parts per million of gluten (the same limit required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for gluten-free labeling), or less than ten parts per million of peanut, Nima displays a smiley face; otherwise a "gluten found" or "peanut found" icon is displayed. The device has not been approved by the FDA, although the developers contest that such approval is not necessary because they "are not using it to diagnose or manage disease."[1]

Nima has also developed a companion application for iOS and Android, connected through Bluetooth, that allows users to connect with other Nima owners and find allergen information for specific restaurants and packaged foods.[2] The company plans to eventually expand its technology to detect other allergens, such as dairy and tree nuts. They are also exploring detection methods for additives, GMOs, preservatives and possible causes of food poisoning.[3]

Reception

Nima was listed among Time magazine's best inventions of 2015.[4]

It has also received positive reviews in ''Popular Science'' [5] and ''The Medical Futurist'' [6]

References

  1. ↑ Marcus, Mary Brophy (October 20, 2015). "Portable gluten test promises to ease dining woes". CBS News. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Matchar, Emily (September 9, 2015). "Test Your Restaurant Meal for Allergens in Two Minutes". Smithsonian.com. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Zipkin, Nina (October 6, 2015). "Avoiding Gluten? Take This New Device Out to Dinner". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  4. ↑ TIME Staff. "The 25 Best Inventions of 2015". Time. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Chodosh. "Testing Food for Gluten at Home: The Nima Sensor Review". Popular Science. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  6. ↑ The Medical Futurist. "Testing Food for Gluten at Home: The Nima Sensor Review". Retrieved 15 August 2018.
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