Silicon Photonic Sensing Enables Next-Generation Medical Olfactory Screening

N&M has filed a patent for its Multi-Gas Silicon Photonics Breath Sensor Platform, an innovative system using mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to identify multiple gases in exhaled breath. This breakthrough offers physicians a non-invasive diagnostic tool, adding a new dimension to smart healthcare.

Traditionally, Chinese medical diagnosis process included "observation, auscultation and olfaction, interrogation, and palpation". The " auscultation and olfaction" here means that some clues about the lesions can be obtained from the smell of the patient's body. Modern studies confirm that conditions like asthma, diabetes, liver / kidney disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancer can alter volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath. Key biomarkers - such as nitric oxide (NO), acetone, ammonia (NH₃), methane (CH₄), aldehydes, and sulfur compounds are difficult to detect in trace amounts using conventional methods.

N&M’s silicon photonic platform integrates MIR spectroscopy on a single chip, enabling high sensitivity and selectivity by detecting gas molecules’ unique vibrational modes. AI algorithms allow real-time breath analysis, while semiconductor manufacturing ensures miniaturization, low power consumption, and scalability. These features make it ideal for portable, point-of-care, and home health monitoring.

“This breakthrough in silicon photonic gas sensing marks a milestone in smart healthcare,” said Rone Chiu, N&M Chairman. “With just a single breath, individuals can monitor their health without complex diagnostic procedures.”

The platform also supports multi-gas detection, high-throughput testing, and continuous monitoring, paving the way for intelligent diagnostics in chronic disease management, remote care, smart wearables, and elderly health systems.