Iran-Made Nanosensors Detect Bombs, Drugs

“One of our achievements is the development of artificial smell, which is in the research and development (R&D) stage. This technology leads to the detection of specific odors like explosives and drugs,” said Amirhossein Azizi.

Stressing the project’s success in detecting some samples in the initial tests, he said, "In this technology, we use nanomaterial sensors that react with odor molecules and the type of substance is detected through an optical detection system."

“This technology can be used in places where there is a possibility of bombing or the presence of drugs. In foreign samples, even breath odor is used to diagnose some diseases, and they are more than 90 percent accurate. We are also trying to reach a high level of accuracy,” Azizi said.

In a relevant development in 2023, Iranian researchers at the Chemistry Department of Islamic Azad University’s Bandar Abbas branch had also succeeded in designing and manufacturing a nanosensor based on bacterial cellulose nanofibers and anthocyanin which can detect very small amounts of aluminum in food.

“This nanosensor is a simple and biocompatible strip-shaped sensor that changes color in the presence of small amounts of aluminum ions,” Fatemeh Mohseni, a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University’s Bandar Abbas branch, told ANA.

Elaborating on features of the nanosensor, she said, “Compatibility with the environment and easy and fast use, and being cost-effective, disposable, portable, high sensitivity and detection of aluminum in food matrices (polymer package) are among the advantages of this nanosensor.”

“This nanosensor was tested on a tea sample and obtained good results that can easily show little amounts,” Mohseni added.

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