As fentanyl continues to infiltrate America's drug supply, a revolutionary AI-powered testing device is giving users a powerful new tool to detect this deadly substance before consumption.
The compact orange box, resembling a cigarette pack, employs advanced artificial intelligence to identify fentanyl and its derivatives with remarkable accuracy. Unlike traditional fentanyl test strips that simply indicate presence or absence, this device creates a unique chemical fingerprint for each sample, allowing for more comprehensive analysis.
Developed by Czech startup Lightly Technologies with backing from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health, the device utilizes patented UV fingerprinting methods to rapidly identify counterfeit drugs and dangerous substances. The technology boasts a 92.5% accuracy rate for correctly identifying fentanyl-related molecules.
"Our technology doesn't just say 'yes or no' to whether a substance is fentanyl," explains Monika Stepanova, CEO and co-founder of Lightly Technologies. "It can determine if a batch of fentanyl found in Prague is chemically identical to one discovered in San Diego last month. This is game-changing intelligence for authorities."
The device addresses a critical public health need as fentanyl, a synthetic opioid approximately 50 times more potent than heroin, has become a primary driver of overdose deaths in the U.S. According to health officials, just 2 milligrams of fentanyl—equivalent to 10-15 grains of table salt—can be lethal.
As harm reduction approaches gain traction, this portable technology represents a significant advancement over existing methods like fentanyl test strips. The device's ability to detect various fentanyl analogs and provide deeper analytical capabilities makes it particularly valuable at parties and other social settings where recreational drug use occurs.