Jacob Fraden and David Pintsov have patented (and are looking for licensees for) their new scanning IR device. This 2.5-mm IR sensor is built into the phone next to the digital camera and can measure temperatures from -30 C to about 200 C—and measure them accurately enough for clinical use.
The prolific Fraden, founder of Fraden Corporation, invented the ThermoScan Ear Thermometer. From a kid's perspective, that innovation was bad enough, when it came to faking a fever to stay home from school by rubbing the thermometer between the sheets, or, if closely watched, rubbing it against your teeth (no, mom, I'm a journalist, of course I never did this myself). Now it looks as though the new device finishes the job, with a point-and-shoot thermometer that takes less than a second to tell your mother that you’re malingering.
Images: Fraden Corp.