Time magazine just announced its picks for Best Inventions of 2006. An innovative way for measuring alcohol in the body that is non-invasive is one of the winners. Click here to read about the use of infrared rays that measure alcohol levels. 

How does it work?

• Body tissue with alcohol in it absorbs more light and by shining infrared light on the skin, the machine analyzes the level of alcohol based on how it reflects that light.
• It takes 60 seconds for a reading.

TruTouch Technologies, Inc. of Albuquerque are the inventors.

The need for non-invasive alcohol and drug technologies for prisons, community corrections, law enforcement, and even border crossings of all types (land, air, sea) has soared.  But, what about these advanced technologies?

Is big brother watching? Who's watching big brother? David Brin, a futurist, wrote a book called "The Transparent Society" . He talks about the deployment of technologies for the next century and Orwell's predictions. He challenges us to have integrity as we deploy these technologies. He reminds us of the huge responsibility to protect all rights as emerging technologies permeate our work world, communities and homes.