Wearable (bio)sensors for sports and clinical monitoring produced from novel conductive inks

• Grant number: 25/15000-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Bruno Campos Janegitz
• Grantee: Rafaela Cristina de Freitas
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The development of electrochemical sensors is growing, driven by the need for rapid analyses, reduced sample volumes, ease of operation, and relatively low cost. In this context, screen-printed electrodes stand out as promising tools for the detection of target compounds in clinical, environmental, and industrial areas. The production of these electrodes is directly linked to conductive inks, which allows for lab-made fabrication and offer a wide range of materials to be explored in their formulations, as well as the influence of different proportions between their components. This allows the modification of conductive inks for applications that require specific characteristics, such as the addition of biomolecules and/or components that promote the biocompatibility and stability of the device. Thus, this project proposes the manufacture of different electrochemical systems, including multiplexed and wearable ones for determining lactate, glucose and cortisol. This, from the production of two conductive inks from commercial varnishes with polymer mixtures and different organic and aqueous solvents. These inks will be applied to fabricate screen-printed electrodes: one intended for wearable applications, focused on the detection of lactate on the surface of a flexible polymer used as a wound-healing dressing found in pharmacies. The other in the production of enzymatic glucose biosensors incorporating the enzyme glucose oxidase directly into the conductive ink formulation, with the enzyme being extracted from green corn extract. Thus, this doctoral project proposes the development of electrochemical (bio)sensors and multielectrode systems, as well as the production of two new conductive composites, to be applied in clinical analysis and sports monitoring in a non-invasive way. With this, it is expected to obtain new conductive inks of relatively low cost, as well as their patents, and flexible devices that are stable and meet clinical demands with precision. (AU)