A Victorian inventor has won a state innovation award for his "handheld laboratory".
Scientist Micah Atkins' handheld medical diagnostic system has the potential to save millions of lives, says INNOVIC, which presented him with the International Next Big Thing Award on Friday.
The first use for the handheld lab will be testing for tuberculosis in third world countries that cannot afford specialised, expensive equipment and scientists.
The palm-sized device uses microchips and the science of micro fluidics and can test for other diseases, contaminants and biological weapons.
INNOVIC chief executive Joss Evans said Dr Atkins' invention was "a very clever innovation and meets a real community need".
"Our judges particularly liked the handheld medical diagnostic system because it is an elegant, relatively simple and low cost solution to a major global problem," she said.
Dr Atkins grew up in a poor family with a mother afflicted by polio and spent his early years inventing devices to help her, Ms Evans said.
He beat 25 finalists and hundreds of entrants from 19 countries.
Some of the finalists won category prizes for their innovations in testing for breast cancer, recycling water, communications and technology.
The Melbourne Museum is hosting a free exhibition of the finalists' work until July 12.
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