Aerosol-jet printing enables graphene-based sensors

As an additive manufacturing method that only deposits material where it is needed, aerosol-jet-printed sensors are said to be low-cost, straightforward to make, and portable. This could potentially enable their use where continuous on-site monitoring of food samples is needed to determine and maintain the quality of products, as well as other applications. The research team, including experts from Northwestern University and Iowa State University, detail their findings in 2D Materials.

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In a statement, senior author Prof. Carmen Gomes, from Iowa State University, said: “Aerosol-jet printing was fundamental to the development of this sensor. Carbon nanomaterials like graphene have unique material properties such as high electrical conductivity, surface area, and biocompatibility that can significantly improve the performance of electrochemical sensors.

“But, since in-field electrochemical sensors are typically disposable, they need materials that are amenable to low-cost, high-throughput, and scalable manufacturing. Aerosol-jet printing gave us this.”