The sensor consists of a small chamber within which gold-core platinum-shell nanoparticles are allowed to catalyse the breaking up of H2O2 in the presence of a target compound, in the process producing O2.
As the oxygen is released, the pressure within the chamber rises ever so slightly. A barometer is then used to detect the increased pressure, confirming the presence of the biomarker being searched for.
Besides medical applications, the investigators believe the technology will find use in environmental testing and for screening food for safety.