There've been open source spectrometers for smartphones and webcams on Thingiverse and PublicLab.org for a few years: http://thingiverse.com/thing:49934, http://thingiverse.com/thing:125428

http://publiclab.org/wiki/spectrometer

And a papercraft spectrometer for $10: http://publiclab.org/wiki/foldable-spec

The new project looks great -- I just hope the new project intends compatibility with the growing open/crowdsourced spectral library at http://spectralworkbench.org/ -- because the more data in there, the easier matching becomes.

Welcome to the open spectrometry movement!

The brass-and-wood "steampunk" version is limited edition, but only limited in that we're only selling 5 pre-built spectrometers. The designs are already online for most of these models and based on the early build photos and bill of materials you can build your own (under the CERN Open Hardware License). So it is open hardware -- have fun!

Hey threeplustwo -- actually there is pretty good literature on laser fluorescence spectroscopy of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the near-UV to visible range, you should check out some of the Public Lab research notes on the subject: http://publiclaboratory.org/notes/warren/7-18-2012/fluorescence-oil-spill-residue-diverse-spectrometer-use with longer exposures we are able to get a clean read on the fluorescing spectrum. And even in the shorter term (before these harder uses are better developed and more rigorous) there are plenty of applications that are already feasible and useful. Check out the use cases highlighted in the KS Updates -- one guy used it to detect brighteners in laundry detergent, others are using it to empirically test grow lamps in aquaponics, etc etc.

I work with Public Lab which is an open community creating cheap DIY tools to investigate pollution. Our work ends up being educational because people need to learn about science (how to build a spectrometer, how to measure infrared light, etc) in order to use it towards important goals like proving the presence of contaminated soil or water near your home, or catching polluters dumping concrete into a nearby river. I work with the (small) staff of the nonprofit which helps coordinate between community members, organize events and run the web infrastructure. We could definitely use help!