Fabrication of a Flexible Amperometric Glucose Sensor Using Additive Processes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Amperometric glucose sensors are crucial for diabetes management.
• Current fabrication methods can be costly and complex.
• Need for flexible and cost-effective glucose sensing technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel amperometric glucose sensor using additive manufacturing techniques.
• To evaluate the performance and applicability of the fabricated sensor.
• To explore the potential for cost reduction and integration into medical devices.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a glucose sensor on a gold-coated polyimide substrate.
• Utilized micro-contact printing, electrochemical plating, chloridization, electrohydrodynamic jet (e-jet) printing, and spin coating.
• Optimized permselective layer thickness for enhanced selectivity and sensitivity.

Main Results:

• Electrohydrodynamic jet (e-jet) printing successfully deposited active glucose oxidase inks with precise patterning.
• Achieved a linear response for glucose concentrations up to 32 mM.
• Demonstrated no response to acetaminophen, indicating high selectivity.
• The sensor's thin polyimide substrate allowed for integration with a high radius of curvature (~250 μm).

Conclusions:

• Additive manufacturing, specifically e-jet printing, offers a viable method for fabricating active amperometric glucose sensors.
• The developed sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and flexibility.
• This approach holds promise for cost-effective production and integration into wearable or implantable devices.