Sensor measuring alcohol concentration from cat's eye

Similar to the color changing rule of purple paprika, the compact sensor of the University of Palermo (Italy) 's compact sensor not only measures alcohol content more precisely than expensive breath testers. but can be reused several times.

Picture: Eurekamagazine

This is the first sensor to use ethanol (a toxic constituent in industrial alcohol) reacting with opal to detect ethanol concentrations through visible and color effects. with the naked eye.

To do so, the researchers first used a thin sheet of about 1 cm square opaque and filled a modified gel to react with ethanol in the breath. So when the ethanol levels rise, the gel changes the light passing through the opal causing them to turn from green to red. It is noteworthy that they do not react with acetone, one of the substances that makes the breath tester mistaken for ethanol.

"Our approach is to allow the visual detection of alcohol in the eye by the eye as a mechanism of color change in purple paprika, " said Riccardo Pernice of the University of Palermo. On the other hand, it can provide accurate numbers if added to electronic systems or color probes.

In particular, the opal sensor can restore the original color within a minute when exposed to the air so it can be used repeatedly. In addition, due to its non-toxic material, the post-processing cycle of the sensors is very safe.