IIT develops alcohol detection kit which can also characterize asthma, cardiac arrest

A remarkable feat has been achieved by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur. The researchers have developed the first “Make in India” human breath sensor to measure alcohol content in the breath. The sensor built on metal oxides and nano silicon can operate at room temperature and can be useful in drunk and driving cases.

"However, with some changes in sensing layers and the use of an array of sensors (for Electronic Nose or Artificial Nose), and data analytics, it can also be very useful for characterization of diseases, such as asthma, diabetic ketoacidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, and cardiac arrest, where the person's breath volatile organic compounds are monitored," an official statement from IIT Jodhpur has said.

There was a greater need for the development of a quick, affordable, non-invasive health monitoring device, given the growing concerns about the adverse impact of air pollution on human health and the environment. The existing sensors are based on fuel cell-based technology or metal oxide technology. Hence, it motivated the researchers to take up the work and develop a breath VOC sensor whose cost will be less than the existing fuel cell technology-based device. In similar lines, the team has developed a Breath monitoring sensor based on partially reduced graphene oxide.

The research was published by Mr. Nikhil Vadera, PhD student, IDRP- Smart Healthcare, IIT Jodhpur, and Dr. Saakshi Dhanekar, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, in IEEE Sensors Letters.

Role of a breath analyzer in detecting chronic respiratory diseases

The developed sensor was successful in detecting various breath patterns by observing the frequency and amplitude of the sensor's current change to exposure to nose breath. The sensor was capable of differentiating between slow, normal, and fast breathing based on the response and recovery times. This sensor can be very useful for characterization of diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, and cardiac arrest, where the person's respiration rate is measured, the researchers have said.

A breath analyzer plays a crucial role in asthma management by monitoring lung function and detecting changes in airway inflammation. It can help identify exacerbations early, optimize medication regimens, and prevent asthma attacks. Additionally, breath analyzers provide valuable insights into patients' respiratory health, empowering healthcare providers to tailor personalized treatment plans and improve outcomes for individuals living with asthma.


“Continued research and development in these directions could lead to the practical implementation of the breath diagnostics in various fields, ranging from healthcare and wellness to wearable technology and IoT applications. The output of the sensors can be connected to Raspberry Pi and the data can be sent to a doctor or phone," Dr. Saakshi Dhanekar, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Jodhpur has said.