Research
We are Micro and Nano Sensing Technology (MANST) lab. Our major research workemphasizes of the nanomaterials with the excellent electrical conductivity for humanbody monitoring (such as motion in various activity, breathing, touch and bodytemperature) and daily biological metabolites. The measured output is alwaysexpressed in form of electrical signals to Infer the degree of physical activity and theconcentration of metabolites, which in later stage is analyszed to promote thedevelopment of the general health and precision health industry. Perhaps manydomestic companies cooperate for the research integration of industry anduniversity.Our research lab consists of two main groups: (1) biosensors (2) physical sensors.
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(1) Biosensors
The biosensors group is mainly focused on early detection of kidney disease. In addition to chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is the fifth leading cause of death in Taiwan and the death cause due to late kidney diseases in Taiwan is the highest in the world. The biosensor fabrication and designing are based on electrochemistry, and detects the target through the interaction of antibodies with nano-metal materials. Currently, we have already developed creatinine and albumin biosensors. Both are able to achieve very early detection, and are expected to be applied to the clinical treatment in the future for very early detection of kidney disease.
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(2) Physical sensors.
Our lab has more than ten years of research and development experience in physical and flexible sensors. The sensors are mainly mixed with metal/carbon nanomaterials and polymers. When the sensor receives external tension, compression, friction or temperature changes the internal conductive material generates difference in electrical signals according to the conductive path and the degree of electronic transition. Therefore, we can use this feature to develop a wearable device that meets clinical needs.
Biosensors
The biosensor fabrication and designing are based on electrochemistry, and detects the target through the interaction of antibodies with nano-metal materials.
Currently, we have already developed creatinine and albumin biosensors. Both are able to achieve very early detection, and are expected to be applied to the clinical treatment in the future for very early detection of kidney disease.
Electrochemical immunosensor utilizing a multifunctional 3D nanocomposite coating with antifouling capability for urinary bladder cancer diagnosis
In this study, we have targeted this unmet need by developing a label-free electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor for detection of APO-A1, a major high-density lipoprotein that is overexpressed in the urine of early-stage bladder cancer patients. The immunosensor utilizes a novel 3D nanocomposite coating consisting of a porous bovine serum albumin (BSA) matrix embedded with a network of highly conductive and biocompatible gold coated silver nanowires (Au@AgNWs). The main components of this nanocomposite coating and their specific functions include: (i) A 3D porous BSA matrix to enable oriented antibody conjugation and prevent non-specific protein adsorption while allowing diffusion of analyte with minimal hindrance as compared to traditional antifouling coatings (ii) Embedded conductive Au@AgNWs that enhance biocompatibility and charge transfer to the underlying electrode. The nanocomposite coating demonstrated minimal decrease in electrochemical performance even after 1-month of incubation in 1% BSA, human serum and human urine. Furthermore, the low-cost and disposable screen-printed electrochemical immunosensor exhibited excellent feasibility for sensitive and specific APO-A1 detection in the clinically relevant sensing range of 100 pg/mL to 250 ng/mL with high reproducibility (n=5, RSD=2.2%) and an impressive LOD of 22 pg/mL. These results highlight the potential of the proposed immunosensor to enable reliable early diagnosis of bladder cancer at the point of care and serve as a viable alternative to clinical cystoscopy.
Physical sensors
Our lab has more than ten years of research and development experience in physical and flexible sensors. The sensors are mainly mixed with metal/carbon nanomaterials and polymers.
When the sensor receives external tension, compression, friction or temperature changes the internal conductive material generates difference in electrical signals according to the conductive path and the degree of electronic transition. Therefore, we can use this feature to develop a wearable device that meets clinical needs.
Ultrasensitive Strain Sensor utilizing AgF-AgNW Hybrid Nanocomposite for Breath Monitoring and Pulmonary Function Analysis
Breath monitoring and pulmonary function analysis have been the prime focus of wearable smart sensors owing to the COVID-19 outbreak. Currently used lung function meters in hospitals are prone to spread the virus and can result in the transmission of the disease. Herein, we have reported the first-ever wearable patch-type strain sensor for enabling real-time lung function measurements (such as forced volume capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV) along with breath monitoring), which can avoid the spread of the virus. The non-invasive and highly sensitive strain sensor utilizes the synergistic effect of two-dimensional (2D) silver flakes (AgFs) and one-dimensional (1D) silver nanowires (AgNWs), where AgFs create multiple electron transmission paths and AgNWs generate percolation networks in the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite-based strain sensor possesses a high optimized conductivity of 7721 Sm−1 (and a maximum conductivity of 83,836 Sm−1), excellent stretchability (>1000%), and ultra-sensitivity (GFs of 35 and 87 when stretched 0−20 and 20−50%, respectively), thus enabling reliable detection of small strains produced by the body during breathing and other motions. The sensor patching site was optimized to accurately discriminate between normal breathing, quick breathing, and deep breathing and analyse numerous pulmonary functions, including the respiratory rate, peak flow, FVC, and FEV. Finally, the observed measurements for different pulmonary functions were compared with a commercial peak flow meter and a spirometer, and a high correlation was observed, which highlights the practical feasibility of continuous respiratory monitoring and pulmonary function analysis.
Highly stretchable, super-tough and anti-bacterial deep eutectic solvent ionic gel for human motion sensing
Hydrogels are promising materials for wearable devices because of their outstanding stretchability, flexibility, and biocompatibility. However, most existing hydrogel sensors lose water at high temperatures and flexibility at low temperatures, which hinders their application potential. Herein, we present a facile one-pot method to obtain a super-stretchable and stable ionic gel by polymerizing acrylic acid in two types of deep eutectic solvents (DESs). Mixing two types of DESs results in adjustable mechanical and electrical properties by complex hydrogen bonding interactions. The DES ionic gel has excellent stretchability (> 400%), outstanding toughness (36.5 MJ/m2), high electrical conductivity (4.8 mS/cm), wide strain (0% to 50%) and temperature sensing range (15°C to 50°C), as well as antibacterial properties and low risk of irritation to the skin. Finally, the DES ionic gel was fabricated to monitor various human motions and vital signs of the mouse in real time, indicating its favorable application potential in wearable devices and the healthcare field.
