Silicon Photonics Sensing Paves the Way for VOCs Diagnostics

In medical diagnostics, the human body continuously emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through breath, sweat, skin, urine, and feces, which serve as valuable biomarkers for health and disease. Though concentrations are extremely low - from ppm and ppb to even ppt (10^-12 g/l)- these trace gases hold rich physiological information. Research has shown that diseases like diabetes, liver and kidney dysfunction, cancers, and infections often correlate with specific VOC profiles or concentration changes. With advances in biomedical analysis, VOC detection is emerging as a painless, non-invasive, and rapid diagnostic tool that enables real-time insights for personalized care.

Detecting such low-level VOCs requires highly sensitive and selective solutions, an area where optical sensing excels. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) spectroscopy builds molecular libraries for identifying unknown compounds, while NDIR sensing uses targeted infrared wavelengths to quantify specific gases in compact, scalable setups. Both rely on molecular vibrations or absorption signals in the mid-infrared (MIR) range to identify compounds and are common in industrial and environmental monitoring. However, traditional MIR components remain bulky and expensive, limiting their use in everyday healthcare.

To overcome these challenges, N&M is developing the world’s first silicon photonics VOC sensing platform integrating multi-wavelength MIR light sources and detectors on a single CMOS-compatible chip. This miniaturized, low-power solution can accurately detect biomarkers like acetone, ammonia, methane, and sulfides.

N&M Chairman Rone Chiu noted, “Non-invasive gas sensing is essential for preventive medicine. We are building an IoT platform based on silicon photonics to help partners accelerate new applications. Our chips offer customizable wavelengths, excellent power, scalability, and cost advantages for precise VOC detection”.

N&M looks forward to working with industry partners to bring innovative diagnostics into daily life and advance health for everyone.