New acetone breath test could offer quicker diabetes screening

Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel graphene-based breath sensor that can rapidly and inexpensively detect diabetes and prediabetes by measuring acetone levels in exhaled breath. The device uses a combination of laser-induced porous graphene and zinc oxide to selectively identify acetone, a biomarker linked to diabetes risk when present above 1.8 parts per million. Unlike traditional diabetes tests that require blood draws or lab visits, this sensor provides results within minutes by simply exhaling into a bag and dipping the sensor, eliminating the need for induced sweat or complex lab analysis. The sensor’s design overcomes challenges such as moisture interference by incorporating a membrane that blocks water molecules while allowing acetone to pass through, enhancing detection accuracy. Currently, the test requires breath collection in a bag to avoid environmental airflow disruption, but future iterations aim to enable direct detection under the nose or inside a mask. Beyond diabetes screening, the researchers envision broader health applications by tracking acetone fluctuations related to diet and exercise. The study,