We’re not sure about this device, and would appreciate your comments. It’s a personal alcohol detector that will tell you if you are over the legal alcohol limit for driving.

No one should drink and drive though - so is this a cool gadget or not?

The device features a MEMS (Micro ElectroMechanical System) detector that is sensitive to a targeted chemical; in this case the by-products that linger on your breath after you have consumed alcohol. A typical MEMS sensor features minute pin-head receptors, which are coated with a polymer or ceramic that expand in size when they detect a specific molecule. As they expand, the resistance of the device changes so you can easily and reliably determine a concentration, to a high accuracy.

MEMS electronic noses have found various uses, such as detecting explosives, and even medical applications for detecting the presence of specific bacterial infections in women’s sensitive areas, but avoiding any intrusive examinations.

Increasingly though, MEMS sensors are becoming popular for detecting alcohol levels in people who don’t want to be caught driving over the legal limit.

So here’s the dilemma as far as I’m concerned. Drinking and driving isn’t cool regardless of whether you are within a “safe”, legal limit and no one in my opinion should feel confident about their driving just because they have a gadget that tells them it’s probably, legally OK to do so.

On the other hand, there are people who might feel fine after a previous night’s bout of drinking, but could use the device responsibly to check that they don’t have any remaining alcohol in their system; and take the bus to work if necessary.

Anyway, it’s available from KJ Global for twenty pounds. I guess it’s a matter of choice if, and how you use it!