Researchers have designed a handheld device that can analyze chemicals in objects.

The device was inspired by the tricorder device from Star Trek which provides a detailed analysis of living things, and the sonic screwdriver in Doctor Who which scans and identifies matter.

The device could make environmental and medical research much easier, as large cumbersome equipment would no longer be required.

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The device, designed by researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), combines an MRI machine and a mass spectrometer onto a single sheet. Pictured are the researchers who designed it, Dr Marcus Doherty (left) and Mr Michael Barson (right)

The device, designed by researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), builds on advances in nanotechnology.

It combines an MRI machine and a mass spectrometer onto a single sheet.

'Laboratories and hospitals will have the power to do full chemical analyses to solve complex problems with our device that they can afford and move around easily,' said Dr Marcus Doherty, the lead researcher from the ANU Research School of Physics and Engineering (RSPE).

Dr Doherty said medical researchers could use the device to identify complex molecules such as proteins which can cause diseases such as cancer, and cures for those diseases.

'This device is going to enable many people to use powerful instruments like molecular MRI machines and mass spectrometers much more readily,' he said.

Some of the characters in Star Trek were shown using a tricorder as a multi-function hand-held device to scan and analyze data. It's used to scout unfamiliar territories and examine living things. Pictured left is Star Trek's Spock holding a tricorder. Pictured right is Spock using a tricorder to help diagnose someone's state of health

Star Trek's tricorder is a handheld sensor device whose name is an abbreviation of 'TRI-function reCORDER' - referring to the devices main functions: sensing, computing and recording

Molecular MRI is a form of MRI that is capable of identifying the chemical composition of individual molecules, while mass spectrometers measure the masses in a sample.

Co-researcher and PhD candidate Michael Barson said the device works by using tiny defects in a diamond to measure the mass and chemical composition of molecules with advanced quantum techniques based on atomic clocks and gravitational wave detectors.

'For the mass spectrometry, when a molecule attaches to the diamond device, its mass changes, which changes the frequency, and we measure the change in frequency using the defects in the diamond,' said Mr Barson.

'For the MRI, we are looking at how the magnetic fields in the molecule will influence the defects as well,' he said.

Pictured is a diagram of the device concept which combines an MRI machine and a mass spectrometer onto a single sheet. It works by using tiny defects in a diamond to measure the mass and chemical composition of molecules with advanced quantum techniques based on atomic clocks and gravitational wave detectors

The team has proved the concept of the device, which performs similarly to science fiction tools such as the tricorder in Star Trek.

Now, they're working on developing a prototype of the device.

'Our invention will help to solve many complex problems in a wide range of areas, including medical, environmental and biosecurity research,' said Dr Doherty.

In the TV series Doctor Who, The Doctor uses a sonic screwdriver which scans and identifies matter