NUS and A*STAR develop non-invasive wearable sensor to detect skin biomarkers

The sensor can detect biomarkers such as cholesterol and lactate.

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have developed a wearable, stretchable, hydrogel-based sensor that detects biomarkers such as cholesterol and lactate— directly on the skin.

This non-invasive method enables the continuous, real-time detection of solid-state epidermal biomarkers (SEB).

These biomarkers are found in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, and correlates with diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

In addition, the sensor’s design can minimise disruptions caused by movement, with the bilayer hydrogel ensuring consistent and reliable readings, whilst the stretchable, skin-like nature of the device enhances user comfort.

Traditional solid electrodes struggle to detect these biomarkers directly, as they lack the charge transport pathways needed for electrochemical sensing of SEBs.

“This wearable sensor is the first-in-the-world that can monitor biomarkers on dry or non-sweaty skin. The sensor’s novel bilayer hydrogel electrode interacts with and detects biomarkers on our skin, allowing them to become a new class of health indicators… This innovation can change the way we approach health and lifestyle monitoring, particularly for those living with chronic conditions requiring constant health monitoring,” said Dr. Yang Le, Principal Scientist and Head of the Sensors and Flexible Electronics Department of A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (A*STAR’s IMRE).