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Sensor100 June 2014
Technology News
Sensor to Screen for Diabetes in Resource-poor
Settings
A low-cost, reusable sensor which uses nanotechnology to screen
for and monitor diabetes and other conditions, has been developed
by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the
University of
Cambridge
, for use both in clinics and home settings. The sensors
use nanotechnology to moni-
tor levels of glucose, lactate and
fructose in individuals with diabe-
tes or urinary tract infections, and
change colour when levels reach
a certain concentration.They can
be used to test compounds in
samples such as urine, blood, sa-
liva or tear fluid. When glucose,
lactate or fructose concentrations are high in a sample, the sensor
changes colour. The sensors can be produced at a fraction of the
cost of commercially-available test strips.A single sensor would cost
20 pence to produce, and can be reused up to 400 times, compared
with disposable urine test strips, which cost about 10 pence per use.
Low-cost Sensors to Monitor the Environment and
Save Money
Joseph Azzarelli is a student in the lab of Timothy Swager, the John
D. MacArthur Professor of Chemistry at MIT, where he works on
developing improved chemical sensors for environmental and agricul-
tural applications.
..
Image: Dennis Skley via Flickr
