Semiconductor-enriched single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) have potential for application as a chemiresistor for the detection of breath compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound found in the marijuana plant. Herein we show that chemiresistor devices fabricated from s-SWCNT ink using dielectrophoresis can be incorporated into a hand-held breathalyzer with sensitivity toward THC generated from a bubbler containing analytical standard in ethanol and a heated sample evaporator that releases compounds from steel wool. The steel wool was used to capture THC from exhaled marijuana smoke. The generation of the THC from the bubbler and heated breath sample chamber was confirmed using ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, respectively. Enhanced selectivity toward THC over more volatile breath components such as CO2, water, ethanol, methanol, and acetone was achieved by delaying the sensor reading to allow for the desorption of these compounds from the chemiresistor surface. Additionally, machine learning algorithms were utilized to improve the selective detection of THC with better accuracy at increasing quantities of THC delivered to the chemiresistor.

We review the techniques of below‐ground wireless communication in the oil and gas industry. A historical and theoretical analysis of pressure wave and electromagnetic communication is presented. Case studies for both technologies and their current applications are evaluated to identify the limitations of each method and opportunities for innovation. Finally, the possibilities of smart well technology are discussed with focus on sensors powered wirelessly for the continuous monitoring of shale oil/gas reservoirs using electromagnetic methods. We conclude that the critical challenges are associated with powering the devices, which must perform for periods of months to years and must be able to generate sufficiently powerful signals to overcome the large signal attenuation associated with electromagnetic wave propagation through geological media.

Acetone is a metabolic byproduct found in the exhaled breath and can be measured to monitor the metabolic degree of ketosis. In this state, the body uses free fatty acids as its main source of fuel because there is limited access to glucose. Monitoring ketosis is important for type I diabetes patients to prevent ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal condition, and individuals adjusting to a low-carbohydrate diet. Here, we demonstrate that a chemiresistor fabricated from oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with titanium dioxide (SWCNT@ TiO 2 ) can be used to detect acetone in dried breath samples. Initially, due to the high cross sensitivity of the acetone sensor to water vapor, the acetone sensor was unable to detect acetone in humid gas samples. To resolve this cross-sensitivity issue, a dehumidifier was designed and fabricated to dehydrate the breath samples. Sensor response to the acetone in dried breath samples from three volunteers was shown to be linearly correlated with the two other ketone bodies, acetoacetic acid in urine and βhydroxybutyric acid in the blood. The breath sampling and analysis methodology had a calculated acetone detection limit of 1.6 ppm and capable of detecting up to at least 100 ppm of acetone, which is the dynamic range of breath acetone for someone with ketosis. Finally, the application of the sensor as a breath acetone detector was studied by incorporating the sensor into a handheld prototype breathalyzer.

Translational research has recently been rediscovered as one of the basic tenants of engineering. Although many people have numerous ideas of how to accomplish this successfully, the fundamental method is to provide an innovative and creative environment. The University of Pittsburgh has been accomplishing this goal though a variety of methodologies. The contents of this paper are exemplary of what can be achieved though the interaction of students, staff, faculty and, in one example, high school teachers. While the projects completed within the groups involved in this paper have spanned other areas, the focus of this paper is on the biomedical devices, that is, towards improving and maintaining health in a variety of areas. The spirit of the translational research is discovery, invention, intellectual property protection, and the creation of value through the spinning off of companies while providing better health care and creating jobs. All but one of these projects involve wireless radio frequency energy for delivery. The remaining device can be wirelessly connected for data collection.

Current totally implantable wireless blood flow monitors are large and cannot operate alongside nearby monitors. To alleviate the problems with the current monitors, we developed a system to monitor blood flow wirelessly, with a simple and easily interpretable real-time output. To the best of our knowledge, the implanted electronics are the smallest in reported literature, which reduces bio-burden. Calibration was performed across realistic physiological flow ranges using a syringe pump. The device’s sensors connected directly to the bilateral femoral veins of swine. For each 1 min, blood flow was monitored, then, an occlusion was introduced, and then, the occlusion was removed to resume flow. Each vein of four pigs was monitored four times, totaling 32 data collections. The implant measured 1.70 cm3 without battery/encapsulation. Across its calibrated range, including equipment tolerances, the relative error is less than ±5% above 8 mL/min and between −0.8% and +1.2% at its largest calibrated flow rate, which to the best of our knowledge is the lowest reported in the literature across the measured calibration range. The average standard deviation of the flow waveform amplitude was three times greater than that of no-flow. Establishing the relative amplitude for the flow and no-flow waveforms was found necessary, particularly for noise modulated Doppler signals. Its size and accuracy, compared with other microcontroller-equipped totally implantable monitors, make it a good candidate for future tether-free free flap monitoring studies.