Flexible nanomaterial sensors for non-invasive health monitoring

Abstract

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, while about 1 in 5 patients are unaware that they have been affected. Current detection methods are crude, using rudimentary pricking methods that require needles and being unconventional for continuous tracking, this strongly discourages people from early detection and management. Therefore, developing a non-invasive glucose monitoring technique is of utmost importance. The primary objective of this research is to address the limitations of existing glucose monitoring techniques through the development of nanomaterial sensors seamlessly integrated into wearable devices. A novel two-dimensional material, GeSe, is chosen for its flexibility and optical responsivity. Flexible polarimetric sensors are developed using a facile direct-transfer method. These sensors aim to provide accurate and non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose levels through measuring the light polarization after interaction with glucose molecules. To ensure reliability, the sensors are calibrated using glucose solutions with known concentrations. A machine-learning algorithm is developed to improve measurement accuracy. Rigorous testing of the nanomaterial sensors is conducted in comparison to traditional blood glucose monitoring devices, employing controlled studies that evaluated their effectiveness across different objects. This approach not only establishes the viability of nanomaterials in transforming health monitoring but also highlights their potential to significantly improve the accuracy and convenience of blood glucose monitoring for individuals managing diabetes. The integration of nanomaterial-based sensors into wearable devices represents a noteworthy stride towards enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare technologies.