# Smartphone-Based Bacteria Sensors This Chip Detects Food Bacteria to Keep Track of Quality By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2018-01-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-bacteria References: [newatlas](https://newatlas.com/food-bacteria-detector/53112/) & [umass.edu](http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/umass-amherst-food-scientists-are) Concerns over food quality has increased concerns centered on food bacteria, which is something that this new chip is engineered to help seamlessly detect. The chip presently works by being placed into a sample portion of food before being rinsed off and placed under a light microscope to see if any bacteria has stuck to it in the process. This technology could revolutionize the capabilities of individuals, chefs or even emergency workers by offering them the ability to check their food for [harmful bacteria prior to eating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salmonella-plus-cronobacter-detection-lyokit) it. The [food bacteria chip](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onsite-pathogen-detection) has been developed by food scientist Dr. Lili He who led a team at the [University of Massachusetts Amherst](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drug-tracker) to create the technology that could one day be incorporated into devices. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Smartphone-based Bacteria Detection:** Opportunity for mobile app and technology development companies to create reliable, easy-to-use smartphone-based bacteria detection systems. - **Food Safety Chip Technology:** Opportunity for biotech companies to innovate and improve food safety by creating new detection and prevention technologies such as this bacteria chip. - **Microscopic Bacteria Detection:** Opportunity for microscope manufacturers to create more precise and efficient devices to detect microscopic bacteria in food and other samples. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunity for food and beverage companies to invest in and adopt new technologies that can improve quality control and food safety measures. - **Healthcare and Emergency Services:** Opportunity for healthcare and emergency services to incorporate this bacteria chip technology and provide more comprehensive testing for bacteria that can cause illnesses. - **Microscopy and Biotechnology:** Opportunity for biotech and microscopy companies to collaborate and create new technologies that can detect and prevent bacterial contamination in food, medicine, and other industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Food Safety Tracking Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecotracker.md) - [Food-Safe Sanitizer Sprays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bacteriophage-microgel-bead-spray.md) - [Portable Gluten Sensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-gluten-sensor.md) - [AI-Powered Cultivated Meat Fermenters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cultivated-b.md) - [Allergen-Detecting Food Testers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allergen-alert.md) - [AI Food Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-food-scanner.md) - [Microbe Testing Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microbe-testing.md) - [On-Site Pathogen Detection Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onsite-pathogen-detection.md) - [Food-Monitoring AI Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/codiet.md)