Xiao-An (Sean) Fu

Founder, Chemical Engineer

Xiao-An (Sean) Fu is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Louisville. His current research interests include chemical microsensors, microreactors, breath analysis for development of a noninvasive diagnostic tool for detection of early lung cancer, trace gas detection, active tuberculosis and other pulmonary diseases, analysis of neurotransmitter, and advanced semiconductor thin films for integrated circuit and solar cell applications. He has published more than 60 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings, and has received three U.S. patents. He was a key contributor to a number of research projects funded by DARPA and NASA including SiC MEMS and SiC JFET-based integrated circuits for high temperature applications. He invented a process for deposition of low stress polycrystalline SiC suitable as MEMS structure materials.

In the Spotlight

News & Publications

Explore our media highlights and press releases. Click through to read the full stories behind our journey and innovations.

Latest Press Releases from the American Lung Association

October 5, 2023

The American Lung Association has published its latest press releases, sharing updates and statements from the organization. These communications address various lung health issues, ongoing research, and important advocacy efforts.

American Lung Association

A versatile probe for chemoselective capture and analysis of carbonyl compounds in exhaled breath

This article presents a novel aminooxy reagent designed to capture trace aldehyde and ketone volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. The reagent, 4-(2-aminooxyethyl)-morpholin-4-ium chloride (AMAH), retains carbonyl VOCs when coated on micropillars in a silicon microreactor. The captured compounds are then analyzed using mass spectrometry and gas chromatography, showcasing the method's versatility for breath analysis.

High sensitivity for lung cancer detection using analysis of exhaled carbonyl compounds

November 30, 2015

The study investigates the potential of breath analysis of carbonyl compounds as a non-invasive and cost-effective primary screening method for lung cancer. It highlights the high sensitivity and specificity of this method compared to traditional low-dose CT scans. The findings suggest promising implications for early lung cancer detection.

Normalization of Exhaled Carbonyl Compounds After Lung Cancer Resection - PMC

September 30, 2016

This study investigates the normalization of exhaled carbonyl compounds (ECCs) in patients post lung cancer resection. It highlights how these compounds can indicate lung cancer presence and the effects of surgical intervention on their levels. A substantial reduction in ECCs was observed, suggesting a potential utility in postoperative monitoring for lung cancer recurrence.

PubMed Central (PMC)

A feasibility study on exhaled breath analysis using UV spectroscopy to detect COVID-19

October 1, 2023

Our feasibility study demonstrates that a single UV absorbance measurement of a concentrated breath sample has promise as a screening approach to detect increased levels of carbonyl compounds, which may be indicative of a disease state such as COVID-19.

Detection of COVID-19 by quantitative analysis of carbonyl compounds in exhaled breath

UHPLC-MS in combination with a MEMS-fabricated silicon microreactor was used to analyze carbonyl compounds in exhaled breath to differentiate COVID-19 positive and negative subjects. The sensitivity increased when modeling variants separately. The overall results are promising for SARS-CoV-2 detection. When all positive (both Alpha and Delta) and all negative samples were used for training a logistic regression algorithm, the model still achieved 90.1% sensitivity, 98.3% specificity and 94.7% accuracy.

Scientific Reports

Analysis of a Broad Range of Carbonyl Metabolites in Exhaled Breath by UHPLC-MS

The combination of a silicon microreactor for the selective capture of carbonyl compounds with UHPLC-MS analysis may provide a quantitative method for the analysis of carbonyls to identify disease markers in exhaled breath.

ACS Publications

Breath Diagnostics

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