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Acetone sensors are used in a wide variety of industrial applications, but also in medical technology (e. g. for measuring breathing air), among other areas of application, to determine the amount of acetone present.

Acetone is a colorless, volatile solvent with an unmistakable sweet smell. It is the simplest form of a ketone body and belongs to the group of organic compounds. The chemical compound acetone has a variety of applications, both in industry and in private households. Here are some applications of acetone in industry:

- Printing industry (e. g. as a solvent for printing inks)
 - Paint thinner and remover
 - Cleaning agents (e. g. for cleaning and degreasing machines and equipment)
 - Manufacture of chemicals (e. g. for plastics, medicines)
 - Textile industry (e. g. synthetic fiber production)
 - Cosmetics production

Acetone can also be produced by the human body under certain conditions. In medical technology, acetone is regarded as a ketone body. The term ketone body covers various substances that are produced when fatty acids are broken down: Acetone, acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. They are intermediate products of fat metabolism and are normally broken down in the body. If diabetes mellitus is derailed and the lack of insulin is not compensated for, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur. The acetone present in the body can be perceived as a sweetish odor in the breath and measured by appropriate devices.

TGS1820 - for the detection of acetone

Figaro Engineering now offers the TGS1820, a compact semiconductor hotwire gas sensor with high sensitivity and
selectivity for acetone. The sensor element consists of a precious heater coil made of platinum embedded in a small
bead of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensing material. The change in electrical conductivity caused by gas adsorption on the surface of the MOS semiconductor material can be measured between the two ends of the precious metal heating
wire as a change in the combined resistance of the MOS semiconductor material and the precious metal heating wire.

The TGS1820 has a high sensitivity to acetone with very low cross-sensitivity to ethanol and
hydrogen. This feature makes the sensor ideal for acetone analysis in breath.