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Handheld device captures airborne signs of disease
- A new portable device developed at the University of Chicago can detect gas molecules associated with diseases in airborne biomarkers.
- The device, called Airborne Biomarker Localization Engine (ABLE), condenses dilute airborne biomarkers into concentrated liquid droplets for analysis.
- ABLE can detect both non-volatile and volatile molecules in air in approximately 15 minutes.
- Traditional methods like mass spectrometers are bulky and expensive, making them impractical for everyday environments.
- The technology was inspired by the vulnerability of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units.
- The device could be used for early detection of conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and respiratory disorders.
- Possible applications include mental health monitoring, infectious disease surveillance, and monitoring air quality.
- ABLE aims to democratize biomarker sensing, moving diagnostics beyond the laboratory and into homes and clinics.
- Researchers aim to further miniaturize and optimize the ABLE device to enhance sensitivity and energy efficiency.
- Collaborations with health professionals are ongoing to test the device in real-world settings like NICUs and outpatient clinics.
- The technology demonstrates unexpected evaporation physics in dilute droplets with multiple components.
- Evidence suggests that the technology defies the limit set by Henry’s law, opening new possibilities for non-contact diagnostics and environmental monitoring.
- The developers intend to expand applications to infectious disease surveillance and food spoilage detection.
- The work has potential for widespread applications in non-contact diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and public health.
- The research details are published in Nature Chemical Engineering.
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