Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), in collaboration with colleagues from China, have developed a device capable of measuring glucose levels in sweat without the need for a blood draw. According to the TPU press service, the new system is unaffected by interfering substances, is self-powered, and remains functional even after 15,000 charge-discharge cycles.
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Wearable medical sensors are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to continuously monitor the body’s condition without complex laboratory tests. Sweat analysis is considered one of the most promising approaches, as sweat contains substances that allow for the assessment of various health indicators, including glucose concentration. However, existing solutions typically consist of separate sensor and power supply units, making them bulkier and less convenient to use.
TPU researchers explained that the newly developed material combines carbon nanotubes with a conductive mesh made of a two-dimensional nickel-based metal-organic framework. The sensor detects glucose levels in sweat in just five seconds and does not react to other substances. Based on this technology, the scientists also created a flexible energy storage unit with an energy density of 61.1 Wh/kg and a power density of 746.7 W/kg—figures that outperform existing alternatives. All components are integrated into a single system resembling a patch, featuring a built-in energy storage unit, a power management module, and a wireless data transmission system.
Tests were conducted with a volunteer wearing the device on their skin. The participant performed physical exercises for 40 minutes while the system monitored sweat glucose levels in real time and transmitted the data to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Simultaneous measurements were taken using a commercial testing kit to verify accuracy. The university noted that the results obtained with the new device closely matched those of the commercial sensor. The researchers believe that, in the future, such sensors could find applications in personalized medicine and sports diagnostics. The study involved scientists from the TERS-Team research group at TPU’s Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. The findings have been published in the Chemical Engineering Journal (Q1, IF: 12.5).
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