Wearable microneedle graphene field-effect transistor sensors
File(s)Holicky_2025_2D_Mater._12_025019.pdf (1.43 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Continuous monitoring of biomarkers in interstitial fluid (ISF) holds great potential for early disease detection and personalized medicine.
This work presents a novel biosensing platform that combines microneedle technology with graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) to
enable sensitive, continuous analyte detection directly in ISF. Using spray-coating and laser lithography techniques, we create GFET channels on three-dimensional microneedle tips. The resulting devices show characteristic GFET behavior in solution. As a proof-of-
concept, we demonstrate pH sensing capabilities with a sensitivity of 2.50% ID/pH and the ability to detect changes as small as 0.04
pH units. Crucially, we show that these microneedle GFETs can function when inserted into ex-vivo human skin samples, with GFET
gating occurring through the skin tissue. Finally, based on MTT assays and cellular imaging, no cytotoxic effect was observed which is an
important prerequisite for human use.
This work presents a novel biosensing platform that combines microneedle technology with graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) to
enable sensitive, continuous analyte detection directly in ISF. Using spray-coating and laser lithography techniques, we create GFET channels on three-dimensional microneedle tips. The resulting devices show characteristic GFET behavior in solution. As a proof-of-
concept, we demonstrate pH sensing capabilities with a sensitivity of 2.50% ID/pH and the ability to detect changes as small as 0.04
pH units. Crucially, we show that these microneedle GFETs can function when inserted into ex-vivo human skin samples, with GFET
gating occurring through the skin tissue. Finally, based on MTT assays and cellular imaging, no cytotoxic effect was observed which is an
important prerequisite for human use.
Date Issued
2025-02-10
Date Acceptance
2025-01-21
Citation
2D Materials, 2025, 12 (2)
ISSN
2053-1583
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Journal / Book Title
2D Materials
Volume
12
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd Original Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
License URL
Identifier
10.1088/2053-1583/adac71
Subjects
graphene
field-effect transistor
microneedle
biosensor
wearable electronics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
025019
Date Publish Online
2025-02-10