On Jul. 16, 2024, Texas A&M University scientists announced receipt of a patent for a hand-held cellphone-based Raman spectrometer system that may revolutionize chemical analysis. This new system integrates lenses, a diode laser and a diffraction grating — a small thin square-shaped surface that scatters light for analysis — in combination with a camera from a cellphone to record the Raman spectrum.

The system allows the user to make non-invasive identifications of potentially harmful chemicals or materials in the field, especially in remote areas where lab spectrometers cannot be used due to their size and power needs.