The iPhone camera is able to detect radiation

Apparently, as we can see day after day, smart phones can do almost anything. But today, we have learned that its high - resolution cameras have sufficient means to detect and assess radiation levels.

Although it would be quite nice not having to get to resort to that, it never hurts to learn something new about our beloved smartphone , but how is this possible? Well, a digital camera is designed on the same principle as the human eye . The retina absorbs light, it becomes a nerve impulse, and delivers it to the brain via the optic nerve.

Similarly, a camera has a CMOS sensor that is able to perceive light, converts it into electricity and sent to a processor that interprets the image as do our brains. The trick is that light is actually a form of radiation, fortunately (or unfortunately) is not the same type that could eventually transform into the Incredible Hulk.

A radiation detector within everyone's reach

So if we consider that the cameras work with light, it makes sense that these respond in some way to radiation, which is essentially contaminated light . For example, cameras that were used formerly could get to have movies veiled because the input light was too powerful, while digital cameras get current peaks. The latter can be analyzed through a software based on what scientists call "high continuous delta algorithm"resulting in an estimated radiation levels.

Contrary to what many might come to think, this type of software is available for download on your iPhone from the App Store . Specifically, Ray Detect, was the first app of its kind that allowed implement the algorithm in the mobile, using the burst shooting features and graphics processing Apple brought iOS 7.

The application analyzes each pixel of the camera sensor individually as well as combined information of all pixels to reach specific values. These are compared with the values ​​of a database that reproduces the radiation spectrum. Thus, Ray Detect can detect contamination and produce readings existing radiation doses in the environment.

There is no doubt that, although not a very useful tool for our daily lives, no longer a curiosity that our iPhone is able to perform a task of this caliber provide us with this data.

Ray Detect - actual Gamma radiation detector and X-rays

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