Printable bacteria used for low-energy biosensors

(Credit: Imperial College London)

The biosensors are powered by Cyanobacteria, photosynthetic micro-organisms that produce small amounts of energy over a period of around 100 hours. Using an inkjet printer, the researchers created precise patterns of the bacteria on to paper, alongside patterns of electrically conductive carbon nanotubes.

The resulting paper sensors could be used to create wallpaper for short-term environmental monitoring or disposable medical devices for patients with conditions such as diabetes. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the work was carried out by a multidisciplinary team from Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge and Central Saint Martins.

“Imagine a paper-based, disposable environmental sensor disguised as wallpaper, which could monitor air quality in the home,” said Dr Marin Sawa, a co-author from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London.

“When it has done its job it could be removed and left to biodegrade in the garden without any impact on the environment.”