Flexible/Regenerative Nanosensor with Automatic Sweat Collection for Cytokine Storm Biomarker Detection

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Real-time monitoring of low-concentration cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in sweat is crucial for assessing inflammation severity.
• Challenges in sweat collection and the presence of impurities hinder accurate protein detection in sweat samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel sensor system for the direct and sensitive detection of TNF-α in undiluted sweat.
• To address the limitations of current sweat analysis methods by incorporating automatic sweat transportation and impurity blocking.

Main Methods:

• A nanosphere array with stepwise wettability was designed for automatic sweat collection and impurity blocking.
• A reusable sensor utilizing a Nafion/aptamer-modified MoS₂ field-effect transistor was employed for TNF-α detection.
• The sensor was integrated onto an ultrathin, ultraflexible substrate for enhanced durability and performance.

Main Results:

• The developed device demonstrated direct detection of TNF-α in undiluted sweat within a wide detection range (10 fM to 1 nM).
• The nanosphere array effectively managed sweat collection and prevented contamination of the detection zone.
• The sensor maintained stable electrical performance even after significant mechanical deformations (up to 30 extreme deformations).

Conclusions:

• This innovative sensor system offers a promising solution for real-time monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers in sweat.
• The device has the potential for clinical application in evaluating patients' immune status non-invasively through sweat analysis.
• The findings highlight the feasibility of using flexible electronics and advanced materials for point-of-care diagnostics.