Researchers at Penn State University have created a new breath sensor that could offer a simple, painless, and rapid way to detect diabetes. The device uses a novel technology that transforms a polymer sheet into porous graphene, which is highly sensitive to acetone—a key marker in exhaled breath linked to diabetes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 5 of the 38 million Americans with diabetes are unaware of their condition, while 8 in 10 people with prediabetes do not know they have elevated blood sugar. A quick breath test could help individuals take early action to prevent or manage the disease.
Unlike traditional blood tests, which require fasting or multiple days of monitoring, the breath sensor detects acetone levels above 1.8 parts per million, indicating potential diabetes. To use the device, a person exhales into a bag, inserts the sensor, and waits a few minutes for results.
The sensor was created by exposing a polyimide film to a carbon dioxide laser, converting it into porous graphene. To increase selectivity, researchers combined the graphene with a zinc oxide molecular sieve and a membrane that blocks water molecules, producing a reusable sensor that resets in just 23 seconds.
Currently, the sensor requires patients to breathe into a bag, but the research team aims to integrate it into a mask or place it beneath the nose for even easier testing. Beyond diabetes, the sensor could also help monitor metabolic changes related to diet and exercise.
The study has been published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.
