A safe route to a needle-free diabetes sensor
Research reports a new metal oxide semi-conductor (MOS)-based breath test for diabetes that can be produced safely and at a low cost, without employing flame spray pyrolysis.
Flame spray pyrolysis is the usual method for making MOS-based sensors, but it can involve unsafe processing procedures such as open flames and temperatures above 1000oC, as well as costly instruments.
Scientists in Canada have developed a new MOS-based sensor by screen printing commercial TiO2 nanopowders. The sensor detects acetone, a biomarker for type 1 diabetes.
The main challenge in the development of breath test sensors for diabetes is detecting parts-per-billion levels of acetone in a complex mixture of breath components, including water vapour. The scientists showed that their TiO2 sensor could detect 1.5ppm acetone – sensitive enough for type 1 diabetes diagnosis – at 90 per cent humidity.
Other news from the department science
These products might interest you
Hose pressure transducer by HiTec Zang
Contactless pressure measurement for sterile applications
Easy-to-install tubing pressure sensors for diameters from 4.8-19.1 mm
FireSting-PRO by PyroScience
New fiber optic measuring device: Precise measurements even in the smallest volumes
Measure pH, oxygen and temperature even under sterile conditions
