An electronic sensor has been developed to identify pesticides in food. The device uses a nano-sensor array that can detect small quantities of harmful airborne substances that can emanate from food.

 

The new sensor works by using functionalized carbon nanotubes, which are 100,000 times finer than human hair, to detect airborne toxins down to the parts per billion level. According to the NY Daily News, the technology allows toxins and pathogens to be scanned for in the global food supply chain.

 

Toxins can be small molecules, peptides, or proteins that are capable of causing disease on contact with or absorption by body tissues. Food can become contaminated upon contact with certain toxins, leading to health issues. One example of a toxin is the metal mercury.

 

In addition, a prototype of the instrument can ‘smell’ pesticides, biological weapons, gas leaks, and other harmful scents. Currently, the nose is four-by-seven inches, but there are plans to shrink it down to the size of a credit card. There are three basic versions of the device: handheld, wearable, and smart phone.

 

The "electronic nose" sensor was developed by a University of California, Riverside engineering and the sensor is being commercialized by the company Innovation Economy Crowd (ieCrowd).