NarXcup startup develops smart ice cube to detect drink spiking

A Madrid-based startup, NarXcup, has developed a device designed to detect and prevent drink spiking. The technology, which resembles an ordinary ice cube, utilizes an intelligent membrane to react when it encounters specific drugs.

Upon detecting a substance such as scopolamine (burundanga), the device triggers a triple alert: the drink turns an intense blue color, acquires a strong bitter taste, and rapidly solidifies into a gel-like block. This reaction is designed to be passive, protecting the user without requiring active testing. Additionally, the solidification process traps the drug within the gel, preserving it as forensic evidence.

The multidisciplinary team behind the project includes pharmacists, biomedical scientists, doctors, and engineers. While the current version targets scopolamine, the company aims to release a version by 2027 capable of detecting a broader range of substances, including fentanyl.