Graphene sensors: introduction and market status - Page 10

Scientists from Michigan State University and Stanford University have invented the “NeuroString” — a soft implantable probe that enables researchers to study the chemistry of brain and gut health. 

Three flexible NeuroString sensors. Credit: Courtesy of Jinxing Li

The mainstream way people are trying to understand the brain is to read and record electric signals, said Jinxing Li, the paper’s first author and an assistant professor in MSU’s College of Engineering. But chemical signals play just as significant a role in brain communication, and they are also directly related to diseases. My lab at MSU focuses on developing cutting-edge neuroprobes and microrobotics.

Researchers at Zhejiang Universityת University of California, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Peking University, Aalto University, University of Cambridge and Nanjing University have developed a new graphene-based photodetector that could detect light within a broader bandwidth. Their device could be used to develop new and more advanced imaging technologies.

The teams work is based on traditional charge-coupled device (CCD) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imaging technologies. The researchers stated that their imaging devices, combining CCD's MOS photogate for high sensitivity and CMOS's independent pixel structure, can significantly benefit monolithic integration, performance, and readout.

Researchers at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), led by Prof. CHEN Tao, have designed strain-perception-strengthening (SPS) enabled biomimetic soft skin, which realizes the dynamic transformation from tactile to pain perception.

The synthetic skin is said to be elastic, conductive, and adaptive. It is composed of elastomeric thin-film and assembled graphene nanosheets with an interlocked structural interface.

A team of researchers from Yale University, The University of Texas at Dallas and the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan, has built a graphene-based intelligent sensor that can simultaneously detect the intensity, polarization and wavelength of light, tapping into the quantum properties of electrons. The team estimates this breakthrough could help advance the fields of astronomy, health care, and remote sensing.

The researchers used twisted double bilayer graphene (TDBG)—that is, two atomic layers of natural stacked carbon atoms given a slight rotational twist—to build their sensing device. The twist reportedly reduces the crystal symmetry, and materials with atomic structures that are less symmetrical—in many cases—promise some intriguing physical properties that aren't found in those with greater symmetry.

SensFit Technologies developed a smart shoe with inbuilt sensors, aiming to improve the quality of life of older people through the early detection of dementia, diabetic ulcers and other physical activity issues. Now, SensFit has announced that it is partnering with Footwork Podiatric Laboratory, a leading Australian custom-made orthotic manufacturer to develop Smart Orthotics to help diabetic ulcer treatment.

This product combines two innovative technologies: Sensfit’s unique graphene sensors integrated with AI and data analysis technology, combined with Footwork’s 3D printing technology to custom manufacture large volume orthotics.

Zentek has announced that McMaster University has received two Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Grants related to the aptamer-based rapid detection technology exclusively licensed by Zentek, pursuant to its license agreement with McMaster: The Alliance Missions Grant for the amount of CAD$1,000,000 (around USD$782,000) and an Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grant for the amount of CAD$350,000 (around USD$274,000) of which Zentek will make a CAD$140,000 (around USD$109,000) contribution. Both of these awards are the maximum awarded under each respective grant program, with disbursements delivered over the next two years.

The research team at McMaster University has achieved significant milestones for the rapid diagnostic platform including the creation of a new ‘universal’ aptamer with a high binding affinity to all known Covid variants, said Greg Fenton, CEO of Zentek. Zentek is proud to continue working with the global-leading research team at McMaster University, with significant financial support from NSERC, which is a great endorsement of our technology and goal of commercialization.

A new work by scientists at India's National Institute of Technology Rourkela describes the fabrication of extremely flexible, accurate, and robust strain sensors employing electrochemically produced reduced graphene oxide (rGO).

Conventional silicon-based strain sensors have relatively low flexibility of less than 5% and inadequate responsiveness, making them unsuitable for detecting both small and large strains. Aside from the flexibility constraint, typical silicon-based strain sensors need sophisticated manufacturing procedures such as microelectromechanical and deposition of thin films. Flexibility, responsiveness, and endurance are critical characteristics of wearable devices because they aid in the integration of the sensors over non-uniform interfaces such as the human body. Aside from elasticity, these products also need a sensor capable of detecting minute deformations caused by physiological factors and physical activity.

Scientists at Swansea University, Biovici Ltd and the National Physical Laboratory have developed a graphene-based method to detect viruses in very small volumes.

Graphene device chip attached to an electrical connector, with two 5 μL HCVcAg samples (one applied on each graphene resistor). Image credit: Swansea U

The work followed a successful Innovate UK project developing graphene for use in biosensors devices that can detect tiny levels of disease markers.

The 2D Experimental Pilot Line (2D-EPL), that originated from the Graphene Flagship, recently launched its first customizable wafer run.

As one of five multi-project wafer (MPW) runs, this first phase is targeting sensor applications. Companies, universities and research institutes can include their designs as dies on joint wafers, to test their ideas for devices on a larger scale at relatively low costs. The first 2D-EPL MPW run opened in February and the call closes on 30 June 2022. The manufacturing stage of the MPW run will take place between 1 September and 31 October 2022.

Researchers from The University of Manchester and Hubei University have integrated the electrical conductivity of graphene and the insulation of nitrocellulose to prepare a fire alarm sensor.

The graphene/nitrocellulose membrane remains electrically insulated in normal condition, but instantly turns conductive at high temperatures: Upon encountering flames, nitrocellulose decomposes rapidly as a reaction to the high temperature and induces a distinct transition in its electrical resistance, causing the transformation process of the alarm sensor from being electrically insulated to an electron conductive state.