RESEARCH

Self-powered implantable biosensors for glucose and trauma monitoring

We are currently developing non-invasive clinical diagnostic devices to better diagnose diseases. Particular attention is given to enzyme electrodes for monitoring glucose in connection to the management of diabetes as well as patient vital signs data. We are focusing our attention on new nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors by exploring new nanoparticle-based signal amplification and carbon-nanotube molecular wires for achieving efficient electrical communication with redox enzymes capable of detecting picomolar concentrations of analytes while simultaneously transmitting data wirelessly to a base station for processing. In combination with the use of predictive modeling algorithm, important features can be extracted from patient’s vital signs data at a base station. This will enable physicians and combat soldiers to proactively meet emerging health threats by adjusting patient’s or soldier’s therapy accordingly, thereby prolonging life and leading to better clinical and military decisions and outcomes. The developed signal processing based physical layer network protocol will increase throughput by reducing network complexity and increasing the power efficiency in a power-limited and secure communication environment.

Impact: The self-powered wireless implantable biosensor will make fundamental contributions to signal processing for wireless communication that have broad impacts on medical diagnosis and soldier monitoring in theatre. Coding solutions to achieve high-performance and high-throughput wireless networks are being developed. The implantable biosensors have great value to diabetes and trauma care patients, as well as soldiers in theatre (military).

Bioelectronic Devices: Nanogenerators & nanobiofuel cell for autonomous biosensing

The bioelectronic device platform investigates the use of carbon nanotubes and nanowire arrays in nanogenerator and nanobiofuel cell design with the goal of directly harnessing and storing inertial power. The power storage and management capabilities of these devices are to increase useful time between charges. These nanogenerators and nanobiofeul cells are lightweight, flexible, and portable and could be used as self-powering components for applications such as personalized biosensors, wireless sensors, and portable electronics. The bioelectronic device structures provide the following advantages:

  • Increased power output per active surface area
  • Capability of generating power continuously
  • Lightweight and ability to be implanted or attached to fabric (wearable device)

Impact: Theses power generators are expected to provide proof-of-concept and for use with powering highly functional implantable biosensors.

NeuroChip: A software-defined biosensor

The NeuroChip sensing platform is a combination of a sensing element (neurons), an analog interface circuit, an analog to digital converter, a microcontroller/ digital signal processor and a bus interface in one package. With several intelligent functions such as priori knowledge, self-testing, and self-adaptation, the NeuroChip is capable of measuring the electrical signal patterns of various biochemical threats on the cells in near real-time. This device is based on the growth and differentiation of neural cells using micro/ nanofluidics strategies to reduce the time and reagent required. Since the NeuroChip can identify biochemical threat as well as to extend detection to evolving or engineered biochemical threats, it can prove invaluable to the situational awareness of biochemical threats. Using artificial neural networks, design classification algorithms are used to identify target biochemical threats against a complex library of biochemical threat.

Impact: The NeuroChip project is an alternative monitoring system to animal testing that is capable of identifying a wide array of biochemical threats not limited to those used in the laboratory by deploying software algorithms that can identify additional biochemical threats and store the new found threat in a global biochemical threat library.

Application-specific sensor system for trauma and Environmental monitoring

Application-specific sensor system is a generalized sensing platform to identify a large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), while leveraging biosensor technology and automated processing. This novel application-specific gas sensing system can distinguish specific trace amounts of chemicals that are associated with a particular class of odor (VOCs) and it is specifically designed to be non-specific, where the overall VOCs signal pattern is monitored, processed using statistical models and then classified. The research includes an examination of sensor performance through design and material selection (conductive polymers), characterization of the sensing of various VOCs, and the development of a design classification algorithm that can identify the presence of specific VOCs by analyzing the recorded signals from the sensor array against a complex VOC library.

Impact: The application-specific sensor system seeks to emulate the basic strategy behind the human olfactory system, where many non-specific recognition elements are used in conjunction with software to analyze and classify the overall capture signal pattern. Because of its flexibility and adaptability, application-specific sensor system will offer the health care and military warnings.