Aasha Patel
Research Mentor: Albert Liu
Mentor Department: Chemical Engineering, Engineering
Author(s): Aasha Patel, Jihpeng Sun, Albert Liu
Session: Session 5 (2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 41
Abstract
Electrochemical sweat sensing is a non-invasive way to detect biomarkers for real-time health monitoring via microfluidic-based wearable technology. It can revolutionize health and fitness diagnostics, but is limited by high throughput electrode production and screening. Compared to standard electrode fabrication methods (photolithography, screen-printing, physical vapor deposition, etc.), inkjet printing offers higher throughput, resolution, and streamlines manufacturing by reducing the need for auxiliary stencils/masks. The objective of this study is to fabricate flexible electrode arrays with an inkjet printer for the detection of analytes in sweat. First, patterns of a standard 3-electrode system were printed on 75 um thick polyimide film with a commercial silver ink, followed by curing at an elevated temperature to increase stability and electrical conductivity. The print parameters were optimized to maximize print quality, which was tested using optical microscopy and a custom-built four-point probe setup. Other components of the electrode array, including a solid-state Ag/AgCl reference electrode, carbon nanotube working and graphite counter electrodes, and a protective PDMS layer are fabricated prior to electrochemical testing in artificial sweat solutions for common analytes such as uric acid and glucose. The outcome of this project provides a robust material platform for developing novel functional carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical sweat sensors.
