ABLE, this small, portable gadget analyzes molecules in your breath, offering a non-invasive way to detect everything from airborne viruses to glucose levels.
The Future of Airborne Health Risks: Meet ABLE!
Innovative technology continues to change the way we detect diseases. Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed an amazing new device that could change how we diagnose and monitor various health risks or conditions. A new system known as the Airborne Biomarker Localization Engine (ABLE). This cutting-edge technology captures airborne biomarkers, such as toxins and other harmful particles in the air, making disease detection quicker and more efficient than ever before.
How Does ABLE Work?
ABLE works by using a remarkable method called vapor condensation. ABLE transforms airborne biomarkers from gas to liquid droplets by lowering the temperature inside a specially designed chamber. This process allows scientists to concentrate biomolecules in the air into larger droplets that are easier to analyze using liquid sensors.
A Leap Forward in Sensitivity
The breakthrough with ABLE is its ability to enhance sensitivity by 7–10 orders of magnitude compared to conventional gas sensors. This means that even extremely tiny amounts of airborne biomarkers can be detected easily! In fact, while most sensors can only detect gases at parts-per-million levels, ABLE can identify concentrations at parts-per-quadrillion levels, making it an excellent tool for personal and public health monitoring.
The Importance of Non-Invasive Testing
With traditional testing methods often invasive or cumbersome, many individuals feel hesitant about getting tested. That is why ABLE’s portable design provides a crucial advantage: it offers non-invasive disease diagnosis right where you need it—in real-time and on-site!
Applications in Public Health Risks
By allowing simultaneous detection of a wide variety of airborne biomarkers, ABLE has vast applications in public health. With its potential capabilities for tracking diseases or health risks like asthma or COVID-19 directly from the air we breathe, this tool can significantly prevent outbreaks before they escalate into larger issues. For people with diabetes, regular breath tests could replace painful finger pricks.
A Breakthrough for Newborn Care
One of the most exciting applications of ABLE is its potential in neonatal care. Premature infants are extremely delicate and often require frequent testing. With ABLE, doctors can monitor these babies without needing to draw blood. This approach not only minimizes stress for babies but also provides crucial insights into their health.
An Affordable Solution for All
Moreover, affordability is at the heart of ABLE’s design. This new system costs under $200 to build, unlike typical mass spectrometers that cost over $10,000. Its affordability allows hospitals, labs, schools, and even communities to use it widely.
The researchers are eager to explore even more applications for this technology. They imagine using ABLE to detect airborne viruses or bacteria in hospitals or public spaces. The real challenge lies in determining which biomarkers should be tracked first, opening new avenues for research and discovery.
Reference
- Ma, J., Laune, M., Li, P., Lu, J., Yue, J., Yu, Y., Mansur, Y., Ritwik, A. P. D., Peri, S. P., Cleary, J., Oliphant, K., Kessler, Z., Claud, E. C., & Tian, B. (2025). Airborne biomarker localization engine for open-air point-of-care detection. Nature Chemical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44286-025-00223-9
Additionally, to stay updated with the latest developments in STEM research, visit ENTECH Online. Basically, this is our digital magazine for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Further, at ENTECH Online, you’ll find a wealth of information.
Disclaimer: We do not intend this article/blog post to provide professional, technical, or medical advice. Therefore, please consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. In fact, we only use AI-generated images for illustration and decoration. Their accuracy, quality, and appropriateness can differ. So, users should avoid making decisions or assumptions based only on the text and images.
- Author
- Latest Posts
Neha Adikane holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Pune University, bringing a unique blend of scientific expertise and creative writing skills to her craft. She specializes in creating engaging, insightful, and impactful content across various niches. With a passion for translating complex ideas into simple, relatable narratives, she excels at crafting blogs, articles, website content, and social media posts that captivate readers and drive engagement. Neha’s background in environmental science adds depth to her writing, allowing her to effectively cover topics related to sustainability, eco-awareness, and scientific innovations.