Researchers at Tel Aviv University’s school of chemistry say they have developed a sensor that can detect two of the most common date-rape drugs in a drink, in real-time, and with 100 percent accuracy.
The sensor, which resembles a swizzle stick or a straw was created by Fernando Patolsky and Michael Ioffe. A small sample of a suspect drink is sucked up and mixed with a testing solution. The solution reacts with the drink, and if a date-rape drug is detected a tiny red light is turned on, alerting a user to get rid of the drink.
Patolsky believes that once in mass production, the device should cost less than the price of a drink. A single can also be be used multiple times, until it reacts with a drug. The sensor currently detects GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) and ketamine, but Patolsky and Ioffe hope to add Rohypnal to the list of “covered dreugs” within the year. All are tasteless, colorless, and odorless.
The chemical solution used for detection is inexpensive and non-toxic. The researchers believe that the device could be commercially available within a year and a half. They are still looking for investors.
However, Patolsky said investors haven’t been that interested so far. Perhaps they need to find parental investors. “They were not jumping immediately, but I hope and I’m sure they will come around in the end. The importance is great.”