Graphene-based nanosensors for customizable analyte detection

This technology uses graphene-based nanosensors to detect and monitor analytes in aqueous samples.

Unmet Need: A compact, sensitive, and modular analyte detection platform

The ability to detect and monitor analytes in aqueous samples is essential to a variety of industries, from water treatment to healthcare. Although numerous diagnostics devices exist, there are few platform methods that can be easily adapted for diverse applications.

The Technology: Graphene-based nanosensor platform for analyte detection and monitoring

This technology uses a graphene-based nanosensor to determine the concentration of target analytes in aqueous solutions. The graphene can be easily functionalized with diverse sensing elements, such as glucose-responsive polymers or biomolecule-sensing aptamers, to enable customized analyte detection. This technology operates by detecting the miniscule changes in graphene conductance that occur upon target analyte binding, and delivers highly sensitive analyte detection. Additionally, this technology is compact and sensitive enough to be integrated into small medical devices such as a non-invasive contact lens-based sensor.

Prototypes of this technology have been demonstrated to sense diverse analytes in solution with high sensitivity, including pH and glucose.

Applications:

• Continuous glucose monitoring
• Contact-lens based system for noninvasive diagnostics
• Monitoring of target analytes in bodily fluids
• Analyte testing in food and beverage manufacturing
• Active monitoring of analytes in waste management and related industrial processes
• Sensors for monitoring pH in biological systems

Advantages:

• Device can be embedded onto a contact lens or thin flexible film
• Can be readily integrated into existing monitoring systems and readouts
• Compatible with a variety of environments, including bodily fluids
• Customizable for detection of a variety of target analytes
• Compatible with fast and continuous monitoring
• High sensitivity
• Can be manufactured cheaply and quickly via photolithography
• DNA and RNA aptamers can be custom-generated for specific biomolecules

Lead Inventor:

Qiao Lin, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (WO/2015/192064

Related Publications:

• Zhu Y, Hao Y, Adogla EA, Yan J, Li D, Xu K, Wang Q, Hone J, Lin Q. “A graphene-based affinity nanosensor for detection of low-charge and low-molecular-weight molecules” Nanoscale. 2016 Mar 10; 8(11): 5815-5819.

• Zhu, Y., Wang, C., Petrone, N., Yu, J. Nuckolls, C., Hone, J., Lin, Q. “A solid dielectric gated graphene nanosensor in electrolyte solutions” Appl. Phys. Lett. 2015; 106: 123503.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU14370, CU15153, CU15154, CU15155, CU15301, CU16113

• Licensing Contact: Richard Nguyen