© n4i
© n4i

Graphene for use in bio-sensors

As one of the strongest and most versatile materials, graphene could soon be used on a commercial scale in wireless sensors that could revolutionise healthcare.

 
By enabling the wireless monitoring of biomedical events, gaining comprehensive analysis of the wearer’s healthcare status, a graphene-based smart contact lens that functions as a self-powering biosensor could detect chemical/molecular agents whilst being used as transparent and lightweight wearable or bio-implantable electronic sensor.

 
Dr Pai-Yen Chen of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Wayne State University, USA, and co-author of the report ‘Toward transparent and self-activated graphene harmonic transponder sensors’, said: “In our recent work we have demonstrated that graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) can offer simultaneous radio-frequency modulation, chemical sensing and memory effects in a single component.

 
“We envision that this monolithically integrated nanomaterial sensor may potentially benefit a number of wireless sensing and diagnosis applications, particularly for smart contact lenses/glasses and microscope slides that require not only high sensitivity, but also light weight, flexibility and high optical transparency.”

 

Biosensors designed for, for example, keratitis detection, a sight-threatening ophthalmic disease caused by corneal infections due to the exposure of pathogens, could be instrumental in minimising vision loss.

 

Chen continues: “Graphene has almost limitless potential in terms of its excellent electronic properties and chemical sensitivity. Moreover, it is transparent for visible light and is mechanically strong and stretchable, making it suitable for wearable sensor applications we are currently envisioning, not limited to smart contact lens.”

 
Chen’s report was published in the online journal Applied Physics Letters, available here.