An amperometric glucose biosensor prototype fabricated by thermal inkjet printing

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Development of amperometric glucose biosensors is crucial for diabetes management.
• Traditional fabrication methods can be complex and costly.
• Need for rapid, high-resolution, and cost-effective biosensor fabrication techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for fabricating amperometric glucose biosensors using inkjet printing.
• To evaluate the performance and characteristics of inkjet-printed glucose biosensors.
• To explore the potential of "biopolytronics" for biosensor construction.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of biosensor prototypes using thermal inkjet printing with biological (glucose oxidase) and conductive (PEDOT/PSS) inks.
• Microdeposition of materials onto ITO-glass substrates to create high-density microdot matrices.
• Encapsulation using a cellulose acetate membrane and performance testing in aqueous glucose solutions with ferrocenemethanol mediator.

Main Results:

• Achieved a resolution of approximately 221 x 221 dpi.
• Demonstrated no loss of glucose oxidase activity after printing.
• Obtained a linear response up to 60 mM glucose with a sensitivity of 6.43 µA/mM/cm².
• Successfully encapsulated the device to prevent dissolution.

Conclusions:

• Inkjet printing is a viable and direct digital design instrument for constructing functional biosensors.
• The "biopolytronics" approach using biological and conductive polymer inks shows promise for future biosensor development.
• This method offers an easy, rapid, and potentially scalable route for biosensor fabrication.