DEVICES USED TO PREVENT ALCOHOL COMSUMPTION

Electrochemical breath sensors

In devices using electrochemical breath sensors, the alcohol in the breath sample
undergoes an electrochemical oxidation reaction when it comes into contact with a
platinum disc. The oxidization produces an electrical current that is measured to
determine the BAC. The strength of the current corresponds to the volume of alcohol
present in the sample. The more alcohol is present the greater voltage the fuel cell
generates, leading to a higher reading.
At the same time electrochemical breath sensors have some key advantages over
semiconductors, since electrochemical sensors:
are alcohol specific, meaning that they only react to alcohol and not to breath
substances, such as acetone and ketones, or other substances like cigarette
smoke. As a result, fuel cell based interlock devices are far less likely to provide a
false positive reading for alcohol;
are more accurate and provide consistent results. Fuel cell technology provides
more accurate BAC estimates, especially for higher BAC levels. In addition, they
are more likely to provide the same test result when tested repeatedly in a short
period of time;
require less calibration and maintenance (e.g. once every several months), as
they maintain their accuracy over a larger number of tests and for a longer period
of time;
are able to take more consecutive readings without breaks.
Transdermal (sweat) sensors
Electrochemical transdermal ethanol detection is a relatively new method of alcohol
detection. A small proportion of consumed alcohol (0.1%) is lost through sweat, which
can be detected at the surface of the skin. In addition to sweat, alcohol is also absorbed
from the blood by the skin. Using an electrochemical touch sensor the alcohol on the
skin can be detected and analysed to estimate BAC.
Infrared spectrometry
Infrared spectrometry is based on the principle that most molecules absorb infrared light.
Different chemical functional groups absorb characteristic frequencies of infrared
radiation, making it possible to identify them. As the amount of light absorbed is
proportional to the concentration of molecules, their level can be determined as well.
Two types of spectrometry are currently being tested for use in alcohol interlock devices:
distant Spectrometry;
tissue Spectrometry.
Distant Spectrometry
Distant Spectrometry uses mid-infrared (MIR) light to determine concentrations of
carbon dioxide as a measure of dilution of the exhaled breath of the driver.
The working principle of the sensor is to use measurements of expired carbon dioxide
(CO2) as an indication of the degree of dilution of the alcohol in expired air. Normal
concentration of CO2 in ambient air is close to zero. Furthermore, CO2 concentration in
alveolar air is both known and predictable, and remarkably constant. Thus, by

simultaneously measuring CO2 and alcohol, the degree of dilution can be compensated
for using a mathematical algorithm. The breath sample can be taken remotely by using
multiple sensors placed in the vehicle cabin.
Advantage of Distant Spectrometry
The system is designed to remotely analyse alcohol in a drivers breath without having to
specifically provide a deep-lung breath sample. This makes it unobtrusive measurement
of the drivers breath alcohol. Also some exhalation problems related to breathe
sampling with current alcohol interlock devices in use (electrochemical breath sensors
with a mouthpiece) might be avoided.
Tissue spectrometry
Tissue spectrometry is another touch based technology for measuring BAC. It allows
estimation of BAC by measuring how much light has been absorbed at particular
wavelength from a beam of Near-Infrared (NIR) light reflected from the subject skin.
Measurement begins when a driver touches a sensor and an infrared light is shone on
the skin. A portion of the light scatters several millimetres through the skin before
returning back to the skins surface where it is collected by the optical touch pad
(DADDS, 2012). It is possible to analyse the tissues unique chemical properties, based
on the characteristic of light absorption. Using a proprietary system algorithm the
properties can be analysed to determine the tissue alcohol concentration. Tissue
spectrometry offers a promising solution for unsupervised alcohol monitoring, because
the alcohol and biometric signals are obtained from the same NIR measurement. It could
thus be used to verify the identity of the user.
Advantage of Tissue Spectrometry
Tissue spectrometry has similar advantages as distant spectrometry: it is non-obtrusive
and has long-term calibration stability. Furthermore, it may be used to verify the identity
of the user.