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Swiping Cards For Better Health

Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR)

— November 2, 2008 — Tech
If you are using a computer right now, (and while I do not believe I have psychic powers, I do believe you are using one right now), the technology that is used to read your hard drive may soon be used to detect disease in your body and contaminants in the environment.

The principal (which won a Nobel Prize for its discovery) is called giant magnetoresistance or GMR and the process of testing would be simple. Like swiping a credit card at a grocery store, one would simply swipe a card laced with samples of blood or other biological substance through a card reader. Signatures of disease would then be noticed by sensors and results would be ready in minutes as opposed to days.

Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) professor of chemistry, chemical engineering and bioengineering, Marc Porter, believes there are many applications but foresees this being used to monitor health on an ongoing basis. Once a baseline for health was established for people, they could re-test at specific intervals in the future, perhaps even at home. 

Perhaps the results could then be sent to an iPhone?
Trend Themes
1. Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) Revolution - Giant magnetoresistance technology can be used to detect diseases and contaminants. It's an innovative opportunity to develop an early-warning system for health purposes and environmental protection.
2. Quick Screening Method for Health Diagnosis - Implementing credit card reader-like swiping methods with the application of GMR technology enables fast and efficient results in health diagnosis. It's an opportunity for the healthcare industry to revolutionize the diagnosis process.
3. Convenient Health Monitoring System for Personal Healthcare - The development of GMR technology will make it possible for individuals with health issues to monitor and manage their health at home. It's an opportunity for healthtech companies to provide low-cost solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry has the potential to benefit from GMR technology significantly, from quick and efficient diagnosis to building a simple yet highly effective early-warning system for diseases.
2. Environmental Protection - With the application of GMR technology, testing for contaminants in the environment can be done quickly and efficiently. It's an opportunity for environmental testing companies to provide fast and accurate testing services for their clients.
3. Healthtech - Within healthtech, there is an opportunity to develop a GMR-based credit card reader-like device for consumers to perform health screening at home. It's an opportunity to provide a more convenient and affordable way to monitor personal health.
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