Singapore Scientists Develop Advanced Wearable Sensor for Non-Invasive Health Monitoring
Singapore, Monday, 3 February 2025.
A*STAR’s new wearable sensor detects chemical biomarkers from the skin using innovative hydrogel technology, offering non-invasive diagnostics improving personal healthcare and outperforming some mass spectrometry methods.
Revolutionary Hydrogel Technology
The groundbreaking sensor, developed by A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), employs a stretchable ionic-electronic bilayer hydrogel structure that significantly enhances detection sensitivity while reducing motion artifacts [1]. This innovative design consists of two key components: an ionic conductive hydrogel (ICH) that interfaces directly with the skin, and an electronically conductive hydrogel (ECH) that facilitates the detection process [1]. According to Yuxin Liu from the Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, ‘The ICH layer dissolves solid-state epidermal biomarkers, allowing them to diffuse rapidly toward the ECH layer, where enzymes trigger an electrochemical reaction’ [1].
Superior Performance Metrics
Clinical testing has demonstrated the sensor’s exceptional capabilities in detecting crucial biomarkers such as lactate and cholesterol, with detection limits that surpass certain mass spectrometry techniques [1]. A significant advancement is the sensor’s ability to reduce motion-related errors by threefold compared to conventional sensors, making it particularly reliable during physical activity [1]. The technology has shown strong correlation with blood biomarker measurements during clinical trials, indicating its effectiveness for long-term health monitoring [1].
Practical Applications and Future Development
Le Yang, Head of the Printed Organic Flexible Electronics and Sensors (PROFESS) Group at ASTAR IMRE, emphasizes the sensor’s versatility: ‘Whether for watches, armbands or headbands, our sensor is designed to be seamlessly incorporated into daily items, offering a non-invasive, continuous view of important biochemical markers’ [1]. The technology addresses a crucial gap in current wearable devices, as noted by Sherwin Tan, Research Engineer at ASTAR IMRE: ‘Current devices primarily measure biophysical parameters, such as heart rate and oxygen saturation level… yet there’s also a strong need for them to capture biochemical data, like cholesterol levels’ [1][3]. The team has filed two patent applications for their hydrogel sensor technology and is advancing the BLISS (Bettering Lives with In-situ Solid-state Sensorics) program to further improve SEB sensing, enzyme durability, and flexible electronics development [1].