A sensor smaller than a human hair known as an acoustic resonant sensor is being developed by the researchers at the University of Missouri. The sensor uses micro-nanoelectromechanical systems to detect diseases in body fluids, including breast and prostate cancers.

“In a liquid environment, most sensors experience a significant loss of signal quality, but by using highly sensitive, low-signal-loss acoustic resonant sensors in a liquid, these substances can be effectively and quickly detected — a brand-new concept that will result in a noninvasive approach for breast cancer detection.” said assistant professor Jae Kwon from Missouri University.

Kwon’s sensor could be integrated in a small stand-alone disease-screening system that will produce almost immediate results and might reduce patient anxiety felt after waiting for other detection methods. This has a strong commercial potential for a home-kit which will rapidly and accurately diagnose various diseases such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.