Wearable Wireless Patch with Unidirectional Microfluidic Chamber for Enzyme-Free Glucose Monitoring in Sweat

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Enzyme-based glucose sensors face interference in wearable sweat monitoring.
• Synthetic nanozymes require alkaline conditions, limiting wearable applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel enzyme-free wearable wireless patch for real-time, in situ sweat glucose monitoring.
• To overcome limitations of existing glucose sensing technologies for continuous health tracking.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a microfluidic channel for sweat collection and in situ alkaline environment creation.
• Employed two-dimensional nickel-based organic framework nanoflowers modified with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs/Ni-BDC NFs) as the sensing layer.
• Integrated temperature and pH sensors for real-time calibration and a Tesla valve to prevent backflow.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly sensitive and stable glucose detection in sweat.
• Demonstrated accurate real-time glucose measurement through integrated calibration.
• Successfully developed a smartphone application for data acquisition, processing, and wireless communication.

Conclusions:

• The developed enzyme-free wearable patch effectively overcomes challenges in continuous glucose sensing.
• The system shows significant potential for future health monitoring, especially during physical activity.