| Thai scientists at NSTDA and KMITL invent breakthrough nano crystal 'detection' eyeglasses | | | |
• Prototype glasses can help in crime detection work; presented to forensic experts for crime scene investigations
• Homegrown Thai innovation applied U.S. patent
• Single set of nano-glasses help detectives see ‘invisible’ bodily fluids left behind at crime scenes
• Nano-crystal research to be expanded into medicine and agriculture
Bangkok – Thai scientists have developed a unique pair of nano-crystal eyeglasses to assist forensic specialists in their work. A single pair of nano-crystal glasses can help crime scene investigators see ‘invisible’ traces of bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, lymph, and sperm left behind at the crime scene. The prototype was presented today (25 October) to the Central Institute of Forensic Science for use in its crime scene investigations. Further research is being planned to expand the nano-crystal technology applications to the medical and agricultural sectors.
The invention is the collaborative achievement of a team of scientists from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)’s nanotechnology centre (NANOTEC), the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), as well as King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL)’s Nanotechnology Research Center.
Dr. Teerachai Pornsin-Sirirak, Deputy Director of NANOTEC, said, “Nano-crystal eyeglasses are an important by-product of our research into nano-crystal. It has already been submitted to the patent offices of the United States and we are exploring the possibility for commercialization and mass production of the product.”
According to Dr. Teerachai, the innovation is in line with NSTDA’s Fast Forward plan to accelerate the number of patents for Thai inventions.
He cited that nano-crystal is an important by-product of the agency’s active research on nano thin film for deployment in nano electronics to produce solar cells, photo detector and LED (Light Emitting Diode).
“We strongly believe that there are a lot more wonderful discoveries to be made from our research work – the discovery of nano-crystal and its applications being one of them – that is good for the Thai society. This is a very good example of balancing long-term research with immediate benefits. We are conducting fundamental research that can yield benefits to Thailand for the long-term. However, we are also being commercially minded in terms of finding immediately useful applications from our on-going research work,” said Dr Teerachai.
Associate Dr. Jiti Nukaew, Director of the Nanotechnology Research Center, KMITL, who leads the nano-crystal eyeglasses project, said that nano-crystal is obtained by applying nano crystallized indium oxynitride onto glass or plastic lenses. The result is a special lens capable of filtering varying wavelengths of light. Nano-crystal eyeglasses work as a filter to keep out blue, green and red light as well as ultraviolet rays, including UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. The special eyeglasses are also easy to manufacture using materials that are locally available.
When used in crime scene investigations, nano glasses equipped with nano-crystal lenses allow forensic scientists to detect – with only a single pair of eyeglasses – more than one type of bodily fluid such as blood, saliva, lymph or sperm, making detection work simpler.
Pol. Lt Col Somchai Chalermsooksant, Forensic Scientist and Chief of Crime Scene Unit, Central Institute of Forensic Science, said that in crime scene studies, particularly in rape or murder cases, forensic specialists often look for bodily fluids as evidence. UV rays are projected onto the areas where such fluids could have been left behind. In the fluids, there are proteins that react to UV light.
To detect these, investigators need to wear customized eyeglasses that operate under three different colours: yellow, orange and red. Each colour works to block out light with a different wavelength. At the moment, scene investigations take up a lot of time since the same detection process must be conducted multiple times with each different wavelength of projected light and glasses appropriate for each type of fluid. “Now, we can just wear one pair of Thai-made nano-glasses and do everything in one step,” he said.
Pol. Lt Col Somchai added, “Nano-crystal eyeglasses are truly innovative, and demonstrate how the use of nanotechnology can benefit society by supporting our forensic teams in their mission. With this device, information on bodily fluids left at crime scenes can be obtained faster. The low-cost Thai-made product will also mean this technological benefit will now be accessible to a lot more people and government units.”
Besides its forensic application, nano-crystal eyeglasses can be developed for specialists administering UV rays in medical or cosmetic treatments, and for practitioners performing laser surgery. It can also be used as a protective device for metal welders as well as for staff sorting black tiger prawns.
After presenting the pair of nano-crystal eyeglasses to the Central Institute of Forensic Science, the research team will provide nano-crystal eyeglasses for tests trials use in other industries. The field tests are expected to be completed in early 2008.
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