Robust OTFT sensors · Ultra-robust, flexible organic sensors for application in lactic acid sensing and selective biosensing

Ultra-robust, flexible organic sensors for application in lactic acid sensing and selective biosensing

The overall objective of this project is the development of novel, highly-stable sensors architectures based on semiconducting polymers that are cheaper and more capable than their inorganic counterpart. The goal is to make true use of organic semiconductor’s unique properties as a soft and stretchable material for the application in reliable biosensors for wearable health monitoring and personalized medical applications. - One example is the development of sweat sensors for constant monitoring of patients' cortisol concentration which is indicative of their psychological health and varies greatly between patients and throughout the day. Cortisol is linked to psychological illnesses such as depression and a constant monitoring can allow for a targeted and personalized treatment with targeted drug delivery. So far this constant monitoring is not possible since tests can only be done in a laboratory. - Another example is the use of biosensors for the screening for DNA/RNA for a fast detection and screening of cancer. An array of biosensors could greatly simplify the tests making it more viable and easier to test a larger number of patients at a higher frequency The objective of this project is the development of a sensors architecture that can be produced cheaply and can be modified for targeted sensing of the above-mentioned analytes (cortisol, RNA etc.). Here the main goal is to develop a platform that exhibits long time stability such that it can record and monitor small signals induced by the binding of a bio-molecule reliably over the course of days. For some applications such as cortisol sensing it is furthermore desirable to have the sensor in close contact witht he human skin (i.e. for skin patches that can monitor the concentration of an analyte over the course of hours or even days) and therefore it is desirable to make the architecture flexible and if possible, stretchable. Conclusion of the action: Over the course of the action, a new sensor was developed that can reliably sense biomarkers which are relevant for long-term health monitoring applications. It was possible to develop a new transistor-based sensor, that is showing stable operation in biological solutions and detect small concentrations of sample biomarkers reliably and selectively (The latter is a great challenge in the field of biosensing). The new architecture opens up a range of possibilities for the use in human healthcare, monitoring of health conditions (such as detecting, and monitoring biomarkers associated with depression) and has the potential to be used to record vital signs (such as in ECG electrodes).

Data: CORDIS, © European Union