Final Report Summary - FLEXSENS (FlexSens: Chemical Sensors for the 21st Century)
Project FlexSens: Chemical Sensors of the 21st Century
By 2010, the world had already become a massively interconnected web of communications, with billions of devices connected to a network able to upload and transmit to any point in the planet and in real-time and almost at cero cost unlimited amounts of information. This technological revolution had the power to reshape social systems –such as healthcare- and help to improve the quality of life of people. However, to fully leverage the power of this network, it was essential to feed it with reliable information that could be used in decision-making processes. New tools and methods to generate scientifically robust information in a decentralized and real-time fashion were becoming essential. For this reason, in combination with flexible electronics, new platforms –such as wearable devices and small portable sensing units- became a major trend. All these devices could only monitor physical parameters. For this reason, the necessity to build devices that can generate chemical and biochemical information became a growing need and –therefore-an emerging opportunity. It was in this context that FlexSens was conceived.
FlexSens was aimed to the development of extremely versatile sensing strategies that can be used for the widespread generation of chemical and biochemical information. The flexibility of the platform, then, refers to its ability to adapt to different environments, conditions and users. The work intends to bridge the gap between current technological developments in areas such as flexible electronics, smart textiles, wireless sensing networks, etc., and recent progress in sensors for analytical chemistry. Under guiding principles of a minimized human intervention, widespread availability and reduced costs, FlexSens will create autonomous or extremely simple tools to perform routine determinations that will not require direct intervention of an expert. Two main research lines will be explored:
1) Life embedded objects
2) Low cost disposable sensors
In the first line –life embedded objects-, the project explored the incorporation of sensors in objects used in our everyday life, especially textiles. In the second one, highly affordable, disposable paper printed sensors will be generated. The enabling technology is a combination of recent progress in carbon nanotubes potentiometric sensing and printed electronics using carbon nanotubes inks. The end goal of FlexSens is to provide analytical platforms that can converge with existing and emerging social and technological trends to help in the solution of urgent social needs in many diverse areas, such as healthcare, environmental analysis, food production, etc.
Summary of the work performed
FlexSens has been pioneer in the field of wearable chemical sensors and ultra-low-cost devices. The project has been focused on finding technological platforms that will allow the chemical analysis to be run by unexperienced people outside lab at a massive scale.
One of the major achievements was the development and application for the first time of novel paper-based potentiometric sensors, a platform that is now widely spread. In the second case, FlexSens has allowed the development of novel approaches for incorporating chemical sensors in everyday objects –such as garments-. This last research line has led to the development of novel wearable chemical sensors. In all cases, the work has followed a stepwise approach, where the novel technology is first developed, then validated and finally applied to the solution of real-life problems. Last –but not least-, the development of novel sensing approaches through the generation of new sensors has been also an area of research.
Main results achieved so far
Among the main results achieved it is worth to stress:
1. Development of the first paper-based potentiometric sensors
2. Development of a solid-state reference electrode
3. Development of an integrated paper-based potentiometric cell and its application to the direct determination of lithium levels in blood
4. Development of wearable potentiometric sensors using modified cotton yarns
5. Development (in collaboration) of tattoos potentiometric sensors for ammonium, pH and sodium
6. Development of a smart band-aid for pH sensing of wounds
7. Evaluation of a novel wireless radiofrequency miniaturized potentiometer
8. Development of a novel miniaturized wireless sweat-rate sensor.
9. Development of a novel sensor for creatinine in urine and blood
10. Development of novel approaches for optical sensing of sulphate
11. Development of novel enzymatic paper-based potentiometric sensors
Currently, integration of these systems into garments (t-shirts, pyjamas, diapers, band-aids, wearable accessories, etc.) and the development compact, low-cost portable units is being performed. This will allow the generation of a battery of devices to monitor healthcare, improve the care of the elder and babies, improve sports performance, etc.
All this work has resulted in more than 11 publications in top-ranked, peer reviewed International journals, 1 patent, 2 PhD thesis and several presentation in international conferences. At the same time, the work has been featured in more than 20 national TV Channels and radio, more than 100 digital media, as well as local and national newspapers.
Expected results- Potential impact and use.
The results from FlexSens have been already outstanding. From the scientific point of view, the project pioneered many topics–such as the paper-based electrodes – that became then important working lines in the field. Also, the development of solid-contact reference electrodes has been a major step, since it can be used in a plethora of different applications. One of the major goals of FlexSens is to develop effective solutions that can help to improve people’s lives. For that reason, the development of a fully integrated paper-based potentiometric cell that allows the direct determination of Lithium in blood is very promising, since it opens an exciting avenue for monitoring complex medical treatments in a simple and affordable way. On the other hand, FlexSens has also pioneered the development of wearable chemical sensors. In this case, the development of modified cotton yarns for chemical sensing is complementary to the development of tattoos sensors. Both solutions are also highly innovative and promise new fields of applications.
In terms of the socioeconomic impact, the recent development of novel creatinine sensor has led to the first steps towards the creation of a startup company for home-based diagnostics. This is one of the major milestones since it materialize in concrete deliverables for the society (at the local, regional and global level) many of the benefits initially proposed in the project.
By 2010, the world had already become a massively interconnected web of communications, with billions of devices connected to a network able to upload and transmit to any point in the planet and in real-time and almost at cero cost unlimited amounts of information. This technological revolution had the power to reshape social systems –such as healthcare- and help to improve the quality of life of people. However, to fully leverage the power of this network, it was essential to feed it with reliable information that could be used in decision-making processes. New tools and methods to generate scientifically robust information in a decentralized and real-time fashion were becoming essential. For this reason, in combination with flexible electronics, new platforms –such as wearable devices and small portable sensing units- became a major trend. All these devices could only monitor physical parameters. For this reason, the necessity to build devices that can generate chemical and biochemical information became a growing need and –therefore-an emerging opportunity. It was in this context that FlexSens was conceived.
FlexSens was aimed to the development of extremely versatile sensing strategies that can be used for the widespread generation of chemical and biochemical information. The flexibility of the platform, then, refers to its ability to adapt to different environments, conditions and users. The work intends to bridge the gap between current technological developments in areas such as flexible electronics, smart textiles, wireless sensing networks, etc., and recent progress in sensors for analytical chemistry. Under guiding principles of a minimized human intervention, widespread availability and reduced costs, FlexSens will create autonomous or extremely simple tools to perform routine determinations that will not require direct intervention of an expert. Two main research lines will be explored:
1) Life embedded objects
2) Low cost disposable sensors
In the first line –life embedded objects-, the project explored the incorporation of sensors in objects used in our everyday life, especially textiles. In the second one, highly affordable, disposable paper printed sensors will be generated. The enabling technology is a combination of recent progress in carbon nanotubes potentiometric sensing and printed electronics using carbon nanotubes inks. The end goal of FlexSens is to provide analytical platforms that can converge with existing and emerging social and technological trends to help in the solution of urgent social needs in many diverse areas, such as healthcare, environmental analysis, food production, etc.
Summary of the work performed
FlexSens has been pioneer in the field of wearable chemical sensors and ultra-low-cost devices. The project has been focused on finding technological platforms that will allow the chemical analysis to be run by unexperienced people outside lab at a massive scale.
One of the major achievements was the development and application for the first time of novel paper-based potentiometric sensors, a platform that is now widely spread. In the second case, FlexSens has allowed the development of novel approaches for incorporating chemical sensors in everyday objects –such as garments-. This last research line has led to the development of novel wearable chemical sensors. In all cases, the work has followed a stepwise approach, where the novel technology is first developed, then validated and finally applied to the solution of real-life problems. Last –but not least-, the development of novel sensing approaches through the generation of new sensors has been also an area of research.
Main results achieved so far
Among the main results achieved it is worth to stress:
1. Development of the first paper-based potentiometric sensors
2. Development of a solid-state reference electrode
3. Development of an integrated paper-based potentiometric cell and its application to the direct determination of lithium levels in blood
4. Development of wearable potentiometric sensors using modified cotton yarns
5. Development (in collaboration) of tattoos potentiometric sensors for ammonium, pH and sodium
6. Development of a smart band-aid for pH sensing of wounds
7. Evaluation of a novel wireless radiofrequency miniaturized potentiometer
8. Development of a novel miniaturized wireless sweat-rate sensor.
9. Development of a novel sensor for creatinine in urine and blood
10. Development of novel approaches for optical sensing of sulphate
11. Development of novel enzymatic paper-based potentiometric sensors
Currently, integration of these systems into garments (t-shirts, pyjamas, diapers, band-aids, wearable accessories, etc.) and the development compact, low-cost portable units is being performed. This will allow the generation of a battery of devices to monitor healthcare, improve the care of the elder and babies, improve sports performance, etc.
All this work has resulted in more than 11 publications in top-ranked, peer reviewed International journals, 1 patent, 2 PhD thesis and several presentation in international conferences. At the same time, the work has been featured in more than 20 national TV Channels and radio, more than 100 digital media, as well as local and national newspapers.
Expected results- Potential impact and use.
The results from FlexSens have been already outstanding. From the scientific point of view, the project pioneered many topics–such as the paper-based electrodes – that became then important working lines in the field. Also, the development of solid-contact reference electrodes has been a major step, since it can be used in a plethora of different applications. One of the major goals of FlexSens is to develop effective solutions that can help to improve people’s lives. For that reason, the development of a fully integrated paper-based potentiometric cell that allows the direct determination of Lithium in blood is very promising, since it opens an exciting avenue for monitoring complex medical treatments in a simple and affordable way. On the other hand, FlexSens has also pioneered the development of wearable chemical sensors. In this case, the development of modified cotton yarns for chemical sensing is complementary to the development of tattoos sensors. Both solutions are also highly innovative and promise new fields of applications.
In terms of the socioeconomic impact, the recent development of novel creatinine sensor has led to the first steps towards the creation of a startup company for home-based diagnostics. This is one of the major milestones since it materialize in concrete deliverables for the society (at the local, regional and global level) many of the benefits initially proposed in the project.