Systems and methods employing nanomaterial sensors for detecting conditions impacting a Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) profile in breath

About this technology

Overview

NASA Ames had previously developed a nanosensor array that uses a sample of patient breath for medical diagnosis. (See TOP2-169.) However, the specific materials that can be used had not been previously identified. NASA Ames has made further developments to enhance the capabilities of the technology to detect a variety of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). A highly sensitive sensor array featuring 64 chemically sensitive nanomaterials can accurately identify various health and biological conditions, such as detection of Covid-19 in humans. The technology can also provide a non-invasive approach for sensing biological conditions in dairy and animal husbandry. 64 distinct sensing nanomaterials, including nanotubes, composite nanotubes, nanoparticle-decorated (doped) nanotubes, and polymer-coated nanotubes, having the greatest sensitivity to VOCs in concentrations as low as 2 to 5 ppb have been identified, and exemplary formulations for each identified nanomaterial have been developed.