Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1038326
112 PCB007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2018 small molecules found in fluids from the human body. By measuring and monitoring their relative abundance, sci- entists can keep track of general health or the progres- sion of specific diseases. The ability to rapidly detect and quantify multiple metabolite biomarkers simultaneously makes this device particularly useful in cases of heart at- tack, cancer and stroke, where rapid diagnosis is vital for effective treatment. While metabolites can currently be measured by exist- ing processes such as nuclear magnetic resonance and hyphenated mass spectrometry techniques, both approaches are expensive and require bulky equipment which can be slow to offer di- agnostic results. The researchers' new device is built around a new form of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip. CMOS chips are inexpensive to produce and are often used in imaging devices. The chip is smaller than a fingertip and is divided into multiple reaction zones to detect and quantify four metabolites simultaneous- ly from body fluid such as serum or urine. The device can be operated via any Android-based tablet or smartphone which provides data acquisition, computation, visualisation and power. (Source: University of Glasgow.) A Star Trek-inspired handheld device based on a silicon chip could help make rapid, sophisticated medical diag- nostics more accessible to people around the world. Re- searchers from the University of Glasgow describe the latest development in their 'multicorder' project, inspired by Star Trek's famous tricorder device, which the show's medics use to make quick and accurate diagnoses. Their new device which pairs a handheld sensor with a smartphone app to measure the levels of various me- tabolites in fluid samples from patients. Metabolites are Researchers Unveil Star Trek-Inspired Diagnostic Device viability. I was also happy to sign a letter to the leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee urging them to complete their work on the bill. Because the Perkins CTE Act is now signed, it assures me that our industry has support as we work to train and certify the future workforce. These victories in North America will set the stage for the work we are doing globally as we continue our international outreach. In No- vember, we will rely on our European mem- bers to provide input to legislators as we sup- port our industry at IMPACT Europe in Brus- sels. We couldn't do any of this work with- out you, and I'd like to take this time to thank you for your support. I look forward to con- tinuing our advocacy efforts around the globe. By working together to support our industry in the face of numerous legislative and political changes, we can continue to keep the electron- ics manufacturing industry at the top of the individuals' minds who are making decisions that affect the work we do every day. If you have any questions or comments on IPC advocacy efforts, please contact me or Chris Mitchell, IPC's vice president of global government relations. PCB007 John Mitchell is president and CEO of IPC—Association Connecting Electronics Industries. To read past columns or contact Mitchell, click here.