Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur have successfully launched the first “Make in India” human breath sensor. This innovative device utilizes metal oxides and nano silicon, operating effectively at room temperature. Its primary function is to measure alcohol levels in breath for cases related to drunk driving, the sensor can be adapted for broader applications. By modifying sensing layers and employing an array of sensors resembling an Electronic Nose or Artificial Nose, along with data analytics, the device can also help in the characterization of various diseases, such as asthma, diabetic ketoacidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, and cardiac arrest, where the monitoring of volatile organic compounds in a person’s breath is crucial.
With increasing concerns about the negative effects of air pollution on human health and the environment, there is a heightened demand for the creation of a rapid, cost-effective, and non-intrusive health monitoring device. The current sensors rely on fuel cell-based or metal oxide technology, which enabled researchers to embark on the development of a breath VOC sensor. The goal is to produce a device with a lower cost compared to existing fuel cell technology-based devices.
Following a similar approach, the team has created a breath monitoring sensor utilizing partially reduced graphene oxide. The research findings were published by Nikhil Vadera, a PhD student in IDRP-Smart Healthcare at IIT Jodhpur, and Dr. Saakshi Dhanekar, an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Jodhpur, in IEEE Sensors Letters. By adjusting the sensors and employing machine learning algorithms, a comparable electronic nose can serve not only for monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the environment but also for identifying and measuring various breath biomarkers associated with diseases.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) constitute a diverse group of organic chemicals that can evaporate into the air, commonly present in various products and environments. Existing breath analyzers are either bulky or takes prolonged preparation time and heating, contributing to high power consumption and extended waiting periods. In contrast, the developed sensor operates at room temperature and functions seamlessly like a plug-and-play system.
The technology driving this device involves an electronic nose with a heterostructure operable at room temperature, composed of metal oxide with nano silicon. When exposed to the sample, the sensors interact with the alcohol, inducing a change in resistance. This change is directly proportional to the concentration of alcohol in the sample.
Furthermore, the data gathered from the sensor array undergoes processing through machine learning algorithms. These algorithms identify patterns in different breath components, effectively segregating alcohol from the mix of volatile organic compounds.
The research received funding from the Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme (BIG), the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), and the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
Discussing the future potential of the research, Dr. Saakshi Dhanekar, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Jodhpur, said that continued research and development in these avenues could result in the practical implementation of breath diagnostics across diverse domains. This includes applications in healthcare, wellness, wearable technology, and IoT. The sensor outputs can be linked to a Raspberry Pi, and the data can be transmitted to either a doctor or a mobile phone. Besides she also said that through her startup, ‘Sensekriti Technology Solutions Pvt Ltd, they focused on innovating for the betterment of society.