Researchers at Adelaide University’s Centre of Light for Life have developed a laser technology capable of detecting methanol in sealed alcohol bottles without opening them. Methanol, a highly toxic alcohol that breaks down into harmful formaldehyde and formic acid in the human body, is responsible for hundreds of deaths annually, including two Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, who died from tainted drinks in a Laos backpackers hostel in 2024.

PhD candidate Ané Kritzinger explained that the technology uses a cone-shaped laser beam to penetrate the bottle while avoiding interference from the glass. By slightly changing the laser's wavelength during measurement, the device can identify very small amounts of methanol inside the bottle.

Currently, the gold standard for methanol detection is chromatography, which requires opening the container and lab testing. This new laser method, when miniaturized into a handheld device as envisioned by researcher Dr Ralf Mouthaan, could be used in distilleries, bars, border control, and other settings to proactively test alcohol safety before consumption.

Ms Kritzinger highlighted that this approach offers a proactive alternative to the reactive testing currently done after methanol exposure incidents. The researchers believe the technology can be practically implemented to help prevent methanol poisoning and save lives.

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