SCIENCE NEWS (New colour-changing sensor can identify different alcohols)

WASHINGTON: Scientists have developed a new disposable, colour-changing sensor that can accurately distinguish between alcohols, a device that may come handy for people who are very particular about their drink.

Vodka tastes different from brandy, and connoisseurs can distinguish among different brands of whiskeys. The flavors of spirits result from a complex bouquet of volatile compounds.

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign in the US have developed an inexpensive, colourimetric, disposable test strips based on strong interactions between the sensors and analyte molecules.
Unlike existing electronic noses, a variety of chemically reactive dyes are arranged into a sensor array and are simply printed like "chemical ink."