Smartphone Breathalyzer

A new CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor was recently introduced that is small enough and inexpensive enough to bring gas monitoring capabilities to smartphones and the Internet of Things (IoT). Called the CCS811, it’s said to be highly reliable, boasts a fast response time, uses very little power (less than 1.2 milliwatts) – and it measures only 1 millimeter square.

An integrated microcontroller subsystem enables direct measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The sensor can be calibrated to be sensitive to different types of gas making it suitable for detecting carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and alcohol levels.

In the not-too-distant future, smartphones equipped with the new sensors should become available. Apps for monitoring air quality as well as breathalyzers will likely be among the first applications for the new technology.