Sweat Analysis Sensor

2023: Product Announcement

In mid-September 2023, American researchers from Pennsylvania State University announced the development of a flexible sensor of a new type for sweat analysis around the clock. Experts say that such monitoring can provide valuable information about human health, for example, about the level of glucose in the body.

The authors of the project note that sweat is ideal for continuous and non-invasive detection of biomarkers in real time. However, the development of high-precision analyzers is a difficult task. This is attributed to low levels of biomarker concentrations in sweat and variability in other factors such as pH, salinity and body temperature. The proposed technology allows you to bypass these restrictions.

Flexible sensor for sweat analysis

The researchers proposed the use of laser-induced graphene (LIG) -based electrodes. This material is known for its porosity, high conductivity, simplicity and cheapness of manufacture. The resulting electrodes have good flexibility, which is important when it comes to sensors applied to the skin. Further, the specialists used simple laser processing to create a stable three-dimensional network of an alloy of noble metals - in this case gold and silver - and carbon-based nanocomposite materials on a porous LIG electrode. Noble metals have high conductivity and are resistant to oxidation.

The resulting article not only measures glucose but also responds to changes in pH. To create a wearable device, the author of the work combined a dual glucose and pH sensor with a temperature sensor and a stretching layer with spiral microfluidic channels designed to continuously collect and direct sweat. The obtained data can be transmitted over a wireless network to a computer or mobile device for monitoring and analysis in real time.^[1]

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