Two students have won a £10,000 award for an innovation which could make the doctor's instruction to "stick your tongue out please" a thing of the past.
The University of Ulster postgraduate students, Spanish-born Mr Davide Mariotti and Mr Mario Ascencao, from Portugal, have developed a machine which can "sniff out" disease by analysing a patient's breath.
Mr Mariotti, a postgraduate at the school of mechanical and electrical engineering, and Mr Ascencao, who studied at the school of management, could have a bright business future with their invention.
Their Proboscis "artificial nose" project makes possible the diagnosis of disease through the analysis of a patient's breath gases. The artificial nose can also be used to inspect the freshness of food products. The Proboscis project has been so successful that a management team has been put together and plans are under way to establish a production company in Northern Ireland.
The duo developed their invention for the first Entrepreneurship Award instigated by Investment Belfast to encourage enterprise within Northern Ireland's universities. Yesterday they were celebrating after scooping £10,000 sterling.
Sir Reg Empey, Northern Ireland's Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, congratulated the students on winning the award. "To ensure that a successful enterprise culture is created, there is a need for more young people to consider setting up in business," he said.
"I believe Northern Ireland has an intensive network of support for anyone considering setting up a business."