Breathalyzer for Diabetes
September 24, 2013 | Terry Sharrer
Two weeks ago, Tagline included a piece about a tin dioxide nanofiber, with a catalytic platinum coating, that could detect breath acetone as an indicator of diabetes. In this piece, University of Pittsburgh chemists report something similar—a sensor made of carbon nanotubes with titanium dioxide “skewers” that capture volatile organic compounds and then heat them with UV light to amplify breath acetone. Both strategies appear to be quite sensitive, though one surely is more sensitive than the other. For diabetics, a noninvasive alternative to drawing a drop of blood for testing would be welcome indeed. MORE
Image Credit: University of Pittsburgh