A group of researchers and scientists based in Singapore have developed an innovative breathalyzer prototype that is designed to be able to contribute to COVID-19 testing with a high degree of efficiency.
This particular breathalyzer doesn't detect the virus that causes COVID-19 directly, but rather assesses the presence of volatile organic compounds that are known to correlate with the presence of the virus. The breathalyzer uses Raman spectroscopy technology which allows for highly accurate detection of molecule patterns and which also lends itself well to scalability.
With an accuracy rate of over 95 percent, this breathalyzer prototype could prove to be an effective tool to diagnose COVID-19. Due to the fact that it is more inexpensive and simple to operate than PCR testing and potentially more accurate than rapid antigen testing, there could be an important role that this breathalyzer could play in the global pandemic response.
Image Credit: Shi Xuan Leong and Yong Xiang Leong / Nanyang Technological University
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Virus-detecting Breathalyzers
- Breathalyzer prototypes that detect volatile organic compounds could revolutionize COVID-19 testing.
- Raman Spectroscopy Technology
- The use of Raman spectroscopy technology in breathalyzers could lead to highly accurate and scalable testing methods.
- Innovative COVID-19 Testing Methods
- Developing new and innovative testing methods, like the virus-detecting breathalyzer, could help overcome limitations of current testing options.
Where This Applies
- Medical Diagnostics
- The medical diagnostics industry could benefit from developing more accurate and affordable COVID-19 testing options.
- Breathalyzer Manufacturing
- Breathalyzer manufacturers could pivot to creating virus-detecting prototypes to fulfill the need for COVID-19 testing.
- Biotech
- Biotech companies could explore the use of Raman spectroscopy technology in the development of other medical diagnostic tools.
