Author: lampse

Emerging technologies in wearable sensors

Post author By lampse
Post date June 1, 2023

” Emerging technologies in wearable sensors “

Greco, Francesco, Amay J. Bandodkar, and Arianna Menciassi. “Emerging Technologies in Wearable Sensors.” APL Bioengineering 7, no. 2 (May 31, 2023): 020401.
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0153940.

Abstract

This Editorial highlights some current challenges and emerging solutions in wearable sensors, a maturing field where interdisciplinary crosstalk is of paramount importance. Currently, investigation efforts are aimed at expanding the application scenarios and at translating early developments from basic research to widespread adoption in personal health monitoring for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This translation requires addressing several old and new challenges that are summarized in this editorial. The special issue “Emerging technologies in wearable sensors” includes four selected contributions from leading researchers, exploring the topic from different perspectives. The aim is to provide the APL Bioengineering readers with a solid and timely overall vision of the field and with some recent examples of wearable sensors, exploring new research avenues.

Tags APL Bioengineering, Editorial, Francesco Greco, special issue, wearable

News

Paper on sweat analysis featured in a SciLight by AIP

Post author By lampse
Post date October 18, 2022

AIP SciLight

The latest publication on “Sweat analysis with a wearable sensing platform based on laser-induced graphene” was featured in a AIP SciLight. From the AIP: “A Scilight, a science highlight, briefly summarizes newly published research, emphasizing its significance to a particular field. Scilights are written to ‘intrigue’ a broad scientific audience showcasing what is new and important in the latest research.”

Find the article “Don’t sweat it: laser-induced graphene monitors analytes in sweat ” by Ashley Piccone here: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/10.0014459

Vivaldi, F., A. Dallinger, N. Poma, A. Bonini, D. Biagini, P. Salvo, F. Borghi, A. Tavanti, F. Greco, and F. Di Francesco
Publication Date: 19 September 2022
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0093301

Tags biosensor, Francesco Greco, Laser-Induced Graphene, sampler, sweat, wearables

News

Third place at TU Graz SciPix audience vote

Post author By lampse
Post date October 1, 2021

LAMPSe is proud to anounce that Francesco Greco and Matthias Gritzner won the third price in the audience vote of the photo competition held at TU Graz called TU Graz SciPix.

The photos show examples of the everyday research at TU Graz.

Francesco Greco was participating with a photo made by Matthias Gritzner during his bachelor thesis and shows UV ink contained in microfluidic channels made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic LIG.

Liquid Yin&Yang on laser induced graphene
A Yin&Yang symbol is formed by self-guidance and mixing of fluorescent dyes in water on top of a pattern of Laser Induced Graphene with tunable wettability (superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic).

Here you can see video of the microfluidics created with LIG. Fluorescent dyes are deposited on the LIG tracks and are guided down to the bottom because of the hydrophilic properties. At the bottom they come in contact with each other and form a Yin&Yang symbol. The liquid is confined by the hydrophobic LIG on the outside.

Tags Francesco Greco, Laser-Induced Graphene, LIG, microfluidics, press, SciPix, superhydrophobic, TU Graz

News Publications

Paper on Printed and Laser-Scribed Stretchable Conductors on Thin Elastomers for Soft and Wearable Electronics

Post author By lampse
Post date August 14, 2021

“Printed and Laser-Scribed Stretchable Conductors on Thin Elastomers for Soft and Wearable Electronics”

Kirill Keller, David Grafinger and Francesco Greco
Publication Date: August 12, 2021
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2021.688133

Abstract

As printed electronics is evolving toward applications in biosensing and wearables, the need for novel routes to fabricate flat, lightweight, stretchable conductors is increasing in importance but still represents a challenge, limiting the actual adoption of ultrathin wearable devices in real scenarios. A suitable strategy for creating soft yet robust and stretchable interconnections in the aforementioned technological applications is to use print-related techniques to pattern conductors on top of elastomer substrates. In this study, some thin elastomeric sheets—two forms of medical grade thermoplastic polyurethanes and a medical grade silicone—are considered as suitable substrates. Their mechanical, surface, and moisture barrier properties—relevant for their application in soft and wearable electronics—are first investigated. Various approaches are tested to pattern conductors, based on screen printing of 1) conducting polymer [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)] or 2) stretchable Ag ink and 3) laser scribing of laser-induced graphene (LIG). The electromechanical properties of these materials are investigated by means of tensile testing and concurrent electrical measurements up to a maximum strain of 100%. Performance of the different stretchable conductors is compared and rationalized, evidencing the differences in onset and propagation of failure. LIG conductors embedded into MPU have shown the best compromise in terms of electromechanical performance for the envisioned application. LIG/MPU showed full recovery of initial resistance after multiple stretching up to 30% strain and recovery of functionality even after 100% stretch. These have been then used in a proof-of-concept application as connectors for a wearable tattoo biosensor, providing a stable and lightweight connection for external wiring.

Tags conducting polymers, elastomers, Francesco Greco, Laser-Induced Graphene, screen printing, stretchable conductors, wearable electronics

News Publications

Paper on Capacitive Coupling of Conducting Polymer Tattoo Electrodes with the Skin

Post author By lampse
Post date July 10, 2021

“Capacitive Coupling of Conducting Polymer Tattoo Electrodes with the Skin”

Laura M. Ferrari, Usein Ismailov, Francesco Greco, Esma Ismailova
Publication Date: July 10, 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/admi.202100352

Abstract

Tattoo electronics is one of the emerging technologies in skin compliant biosensing. The growing interest in their large application in health monitoring raises several interrogations on how these sensors interface with the skin. In this paper, the bioimpedance at the interface of the skin and ultra-conformable tattoo electrodes made of conducting polymers are focused on. The electrochemical characteristics of these electrodes differ from traditional gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes. The modeling of equivalent circuits in different skin-electrode configurations proposes the explanation of the biopotentials transduction mechanism. The strong agreement between the circuit model and experimental values reveals the capacitive coupling of conducting polymer tattoo electrodes where circuit’s values reflect the electrodes’ and skin physical characteristics. Additional studies underline an enhanced signal stability in inter/intra-subject evaluations using dry tattoos beneficial for broad long-term recordings. This study provides a comprehensive explanation of the skin/tattoo electrode interface model. The understanding of this interface is essential when designing next generation wearable biomonitoring devices using imperceptible interfaces.

Tags biosensors, biosignal transduction, conducting polymers, conformable biosensors, tattoo, tattoo electrodes

News

TU Graz SciPix

Post author By lampse
Post date May 17, 2021

LAMPSe is participating in the photo competition held at TU Graz called TU Graz SciPix.

The photos show examples of the everyday research at TU Graz.

Alexander Dallinger is participating with a scanning electron microscope image showing LIG and silver flakes forming a “glacier”.

The everlasting silver glacier
The glacier is formed by silver flakes on mountains of laser-induced graphene, arising from a plastic sheet after scribing with an infrared laser. The glacier is forcing its way down the valley and is connecting the conductive mountains together.

Francesco Greco is participating with a photo made by Matthias Gritzner during his bachelor thesis and shows UV ink contained in microfluidic channels made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic LIG.