(Invited) Soft Electrochemical Biosensors and Supercapacitors

Abstract

In the telehealth and Internet of Things (IoT) context, the development of wearable biosensors has become increasingly necessary to remotely monitor chemical and biological markers anytime, anywhere via a smartphone. To achieve a "burdenless" wearing experience, these devices should ideally be soft and thin, seamlessly integrating with human skin. Electrochemical signal transduction is a promising approach due to its ability to facilitate miniaturization and integration with state-of-the-art technology. However, traditional electrochemical devices, including biosensors and supercapacitors, are often constructed using rigid, planar bulk electrodes with limited electroactive surface areas.In this presentation, I will introduce our innovative skin-like electronic skins and tattoos that utilize standing enokitake mushroom-like vertically aligned gold nanowires as electrochemical electrodes. These soft and three-dimensional electrodes possess high surface areas for efficient electrochemical reactions. Gold is an ideal material due to its biocompatibility, chemical inertness, ease of synthesis/surface functionalization, and band-gap-matching with many semiconductor materials. We will discuss our gold nanowire-based soft biosensing platform in the form of patches, fibers, and tattoos for wireless detection of glucose, lactate, pH, and cationic ions.