A self-powered sensor patch for glucose monitoring in sweat

We developed a paper-based self-powered sensor patch for detecting glucose levels in sweat. This wearable, non-invasive biosensor made use of the integration of a vertically stacked paper-based glucose/oxygen enzymatic fuel cell into a standard Band-Aid patch. The paper-based device, attached directly to human skin, wicked sweat from human skin and monitored an electrochemical energy conversion as a transducing element for glucose monitoring in sweat, thus obviating the requirement of external power sources and sophisticated readout instrumentation. The device features (i) a 3-D origami paper-based fuel cell structure for easy system integration on paper, (ii) an electrically conducting paper microfluidic reservoir for high anode surface area and efficient mass transfer, and (iii) a direct electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes for enhanced electron discharge properties. The sensor showed a linear range of output current at 0.02-1.0mg/mL glucose (R
²
=0.989) with a high sensitivity.