IIT Jodhpur Develops Low-Cost Breath Sensor for DUI Detection & Disease Diagnosis

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur has unveiled an innovative human breath sensor that not only detects alcohol levels for drunk driving cases (Driving under the influence – DUI) but also shows promise in diagnosing various diseases. This breakthrough technology relies on metal oxides and nano silicon, operating efficiently at room temperature, in contrast to existing sensors based on fuel cells.

The device, spearheaded by Associate Professor Saakshi Dhanekar from the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Jodhpur, primarily targets alcohol detection but offers broader applications in disease monitoring. By incorporating changes in sensing layers and employing sensor arrays coupled with data analytics, it can potentially characterize ailments such as asthma, diabetic ketoacidosis, and sleep apnea by analyzing volatile organic compounds in breath samples.

Dhanekar highlighted the urgent need for affordable, non-invasive health monitoring devices, especially amidst rising concerns about air pollution’s adverse effects on health and the environment. Unlike bulky, power-consuming alternatives, the new sensor operates at room temperature, facilitating quick and convenient usage without extensive preparation time or heaters.

Nikhil Vadera, a PhD student involved in the project, explained that the sensors interact with alcohol in breath samples, displaying resistance changes proportional to alcohol concentration. Machine learning algorithms further process data from the sensor array, distinguishing alcohol from other volatile organic compounds.

Funded by various bodies including the Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme (BIG) and the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), this research holds promise for revolutionizing breath analysis technology, offering efficient, cost-effective solutions for both law enforcement and healthcare sectors.