A scanner that can determine what an object is seems like a figment of the imagination or something straight out of a science-fiction novel. Yet this is what the SCIO Molecular Scanner actually does.  Imagine having ability to simply scan and see, for example, the amount of calories in a food item. Or, the body fat percentage in your arm. Believe it or not, you can, for the generous price tag of $300, of course.

The SCIO Molecular Scanner is just what its name suggests. The scanner absorbs light reflected off of an item. It then “breaks it down into a spectrum, and analyzes it to determine the material’s chemical makeup.” This translates to the ability to scan the amount of cocoa in a chocolate bar, or water content in an apple. The scanner simply needs a smartphone to connect to and display outputs. Depending on the molecular signature, the scanner can identify the scanned material. It is usable for solids or liquids.

Source: https://www.consumerphysics.com/scio-for-consumers/