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Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomarkers by Using a Molecular Imprinting Based Capacitive Biosensor
Published on: February 16, 2018
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A Sweat Cortisol Sensor Based on Gold-Modified Molecularly Imprinted Polymer.
Ziyu Liu1,2, Guangzhong Xie1, Jing Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 12, 2025
Summary
A new portable electrochemical cortisol sensor (PECS) offers accurate mental stress assessment. This device enables non-invasive, real-time monitoring of mental health, addressing a critical public health need.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Depressive disorders affect 3.8% of the global population, a challenge worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Objective quantification of psychological states is difficult, highlighting the need for reliable stress assessment tools.
- Current methods for mental stress assessment lack objectivity and real-time capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a portable electrochemical cortisol sensor (PECS) for accurate mental stress assessment.
- To create a non-invasive and real-time method for monitoring mental health.
- To address the limitations of existing stress assessment techniques.
Main Methods:
- Developed a portable electrochemical cortisol sensor (PECS).
- Utilized a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles.
- Synthesized a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) via electropolymerization for cortisol detection.
Main Results:
- The PECS exhibited a wide linear detection range from 1 fM to 1 μM.
- Achieved an ultra-low detection limit of 0.4112 fM.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity of 15.518 nA∙lg(nM-1)∙cm-2.
Conclusions:
- The developed PECS provides an accurate and sensitive method for mental stress assessment.
- This technology offers a new possibility for soft bioelectronics in non-invasive, real-time mental health monitoring.
- PECS can contribute to addressing the public health challenge posed by mental health disorders.
