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A semiconductor sensor is a sensor containing a small bead of metal oxide that is heated to a very high temperature. Power is then applied to the sensor, and the current generated using a non-alcohol breath sample is measured to form a baseline reading. When an alcohol-positive breath sample is given, the device detects the alcohol by measuring the change in the electrical current generated by the alcohol positive sample and comparing it to the current generated by the baseline sample. The measured change in the electrical current (resistance) can be converted into a breath alcohol reading.
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