# 252. This Breathalyzer Tells You When You're Burning Fat

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-10-27-252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat-8PKn1IqQ

## Summary

Researchers from ETH Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, along with their spinoff startup Olivion, have developed a handheld breathalyzer called Nutriion that measures acetone levels in breath to determine when the body is burning fat. The device uses a specialized filter to block other chemicals and a sensitive sensor to detect acetone at parts-per-billion concentrations, matching the accuracy of expensive laboratory mass spectrometers. The hosts discuss how this technology enables continuous metabolic monitoring for weight loss, ketogenic diets for epilepsy, and broader medical trials without the need for invasive blood tests.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-10-27-252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat#t=0) Introduction: Sponsor Mouser and Health Insights from Waste
- [3:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-10-27-252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat#t=215) Olivion: ETH Zurich Spinoff and Acetone Sensing History
- [6:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-10-27-252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat#t=391) The Challenge: Detecting 10 ppb Acetone Amidst Breath Interference
- [9:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-10-27-252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat#t=577) How Nutriion Works: Filtration, Deep Exhale, and Smartphone App
- [11:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-10-27-252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat#t=701) Applications: Ketogenic Diets, Epilepsy, and GLP-1 Clinical Trials
- [14:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-10-27-252-this-breathalyzer-tells-you-when-youre-burning-fat#t=882) Product Launch: Nutriion Availability and User Engagement

## Topics

- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- ETH Zurich (company)
- University Hospital of Zurich (company)
- Olivion (company)
- Nutriion (product)
- mass spectrometer (tool)
- smartphone app (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Detecting Scents & Smells With IoT Sensors | Altered Carbon's Ali Rohafza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-02-17-detecting-scents-smells-with-iot-sensors-altered-carbons-ali-rohafza) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

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