Scanning small samples

The Solid Sample Holder is a scanning accessory to use when your sample is too small to fill the entire illumination field (such as with a pill or a capsule).

pill-accessory
Solid Sample Holder

 

To use the Solid Sample Holder correctly:
  1. Place SCiO in the cover, with the optical head facing out.
  2. Place the solid, dry sample into the sample holder and center it into the scan field.
    pill_in_middle
  3. Place the SCiO on top of the sample holder with the optical head facing the scan field. Magnets within the sample holder and SCiO will hold it in place.
    stacked
  4. Release your hand from holding SCiO on the sample holder (it will stay with the magnets) and tap scan on your phone.
  5. Once you see the scan is finished, remove SCiO from on top of the sample holder and repeat for your next scan.
Important note: The Solid Sample Holder cannot be used for liquids or semi-solids of any type. Only samples small enough to fit easily and that are completely dry should be placed in the holder. Scratching the internal coating of the holder, or getting it wet,  will both void your warranty and destroy the holder.

Ensuring you randomize your scanning is critically important for the success of your model building. For example, in the first scenario where we said three scans of each pill, 5 pills per bottle, 20 bottles should not be scanned in exactly that order.

The order you scan should not be 3x5x20 but rather an entirely randomized order, such as: three scans of each pill, then randomize the 5 pills from each bottle to 2 pills from one bottle and 3 pills from another, and finally 1 from the last one until you complete the 3 scans of the last of the 5 pills from the 20 bottles.

The reason you want to make sure to randomize is that environmental factors can influence the scan results, so predictive patterns might skew the spectra. When you randomize, you ensure it is the actual matter you are scanning and not the order, temperature, ambient light etc. that is measured.

How do I design a new data collection within SCiO Universe?

Ideally, a data collection should be large enough to build a working model.
Let’s use an example of creating a data collection of a certain type of pills (Ibuprofen) for our example.
If you want to build an ideal model, you need to start the first data set with 20 bottles of Ibuprofen from each manufacturer (ideally from different production lots), where you scan 5 pills from each bottle, and scan each pill three separate times.

3x5x20 = 300 total scans (for each manufacturer)
The result of the 300 scans is a baseline for establishing one type of pill from one manufacturer.
Next, you’ll do the same process for another pill from another manufacturer. Again, 20 bottles, where you scan 5 pills from each bottle, and scan each pill three separate times.

3x5x20 x 2 =600 total scans

From here, you’ll have two baselines from two manufacturers and can create your first model.

 

SCiO Researcher accounts are able to download SCiO spectrum for analysis.

With a Researcher license, you can download your spectrum to use with your own tools. The options for download are .csv (comma separated values) and JSON files.

  1. To download, select a Data Collection.
  2. Within the data collection, select the Samples tab. Click Download All
  3. Select .csv or JSON as the file type and SCiO Lab will prepare the collection for download.
  4. You can continue working and the collection will be downloaded to your computer in the background.
Download your records

Download your spectrum from SCiO Lab

 

What is the best way to scan?

Your SCiO sensor is a sensitive handheld molecular device. To get the best results, follow these simple steps:

  1. Download and Install SCiO Lab Mobile to your smartphone.
  2. Login using your universal SCiO user/password credentials.
  3. Make sure SCiO is already synced with SCiO Lab Mobile on your phone.
  4. Calibrate SCiO using the SCiO Cover.
  5. Place your sample on a steady surface within 5-10mm or 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of SCiO, or place SCiO within that distance of the matter you wish to scan.
  6. Make sure the material you want to scan is equal or larger to the size of the ENTIRE illumination field during the scan. If not, your results will be ineffective. If the sample is too small, but is a totally dry sample, place it within the solid sample holder for an accurate scan.
  7. Hold SCiO steady and tap scan on your phone or press the button within the illumination ring on SCiO.

Every SCiO Lab account has an associated user profile.

Making Account Changes

Need to make changes to your user details, password and/or security question?

No problem, we made it painless and fast!

  1. Log in to SCiO Lab at: sciolab.consumerphysics.com/#/login
  2. Click on your user name in the top hand side right of the screen.
  3. Select my profile.
  4. Click Edit to change your user details and finish your update,
    OR
    Select Change Password / Change Security Question from the list of profile values and make your changes.
  5. You’re all done!

Change Profile_account

Don’t forget, SCiO Lab and SCiO Lab Mobile use a unified user profile. Making a change to your password here will change your SCiO password everywhere.