Non-invasive glucose biosensor could be produced at low cost

‘It’s an inherently non-invasive way to estimate glucose content in the body,’ said Jonathan Claussen, a former Purdue University doctoral student and now a research scientist at the US Naval Research Laboratory. ‘Because it can detect glucose in the saliva and tears, it’s a platform that might eventually help to eliminate or reduce the frequency of using pinpricks for diabetes testing. We are proving its functionality.’

According to a statement, the sensor has three main parts: layers of nanosheets resembling tiny rose petals made of graphene; platinum nanoparticles; and the enzyme glucose oxidase.

Each so-called petal contains a few layers of stacked graphene. The edges of the petals have dangling, incomplete chemical bonds — defects where platinum nanoparticles can attach. Electrodes are formed by combining the nanosheet petals and platinum nanoparticles. Then the glucose oxidase attaches to the platinum nanoparticles. The enzyme converts glucose to peroxide, which generates a signal on the electrode.