Sensor Detects Toxic Methanol in Drinks and Breath

Sep-29-19 A small sensor able to detect methane in tainted alcohol or breath could help prevent dangerous and potentially fatal poisonings.

Counterfeit or poorly made alcohol often contains methanol, which can be toxic when ingested. To help reduce the flow of the dangerous liquors, the team from ETH Zurich created a hand-held sensor that can distinguish between methanol and potable alcohol. The sensor relies on a porous polymer that lets the smaller methanol molecules through more quickly than ethanol, allowing the device to detect methanol in both liquid and on the breath in just minutes.

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[NATURE.COM]
[ETHZ.CH]

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