Flexible biosensor measures glucose, lactate and pH

Breakthrough in health monitoring

Wearable technologies are becoming increasingly important in the health and sports fields. Until now, these devices have often been bulky and inflexible. Now, a team of researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has developed a new approach that addresses these issues.

The solution is a new ultra-thin device that can wirelessly scan and monitor key health markers. The technology combines organic and inorganic materials to measure biomarkers such as glucose, lactate and pH.

The device, which is just four micrometers thick, integrates organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with tiny inorganic LEDs on a flexible substrate. This combination enables high performance with good mechanical stability at the same time.

OECTs act as biochemical sensors and respond to biomarkers in their environment. Changes in the concentration of biomarkers affect the current flow through the OECTs. This in turn modulates the light emitted by the tiny LEDs, enabling wireless transmission of measurement data.
Schematic representation (left) Image of the structure (right)

Flexible electronics are on the rise

The trend toward flexible, wearable electronics in health monitoring is growing. Until now, rigid components for wireless communications have often been a barrier. KIST’s new hybrid technology could represent a breakthrough here.

In the study conducted in Nature Electronics After its release, the team plans to integrate the device with a flexible battery to create a portable patch. Future versions could use soft batteries or solar cells to create a completely chip-free sensing system.

Questions remain open

This technology has the potential to advance the development of medical devices. It enables continuous, non-invasive monitoring of important health markers. This opens up new possibilities for precise and practical health monitoring in both patient care and sports medicine.

Despite the promising approach, some questions remain unanswered. The long-term stability and accuracy of the sensor still need to be tested under real-world conditions.

What do you think of this new technology? Do you see it as an opportunity for personalized healthcare or do you have concerns? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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