Aug 2026· Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics· Vol 59, pp. 345401· 0 citations· 34 references
Physics
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems and highlighting the need for rapid, low-cost diagnostic solutions. Laser-driven microfabrication offers a powerful route to engineer electrochemical biosensing interfaces with tuneable morphology, conductivity, and unique surface functional groups for attaching receptors and biomolecules. Here, we report the fabrication and evaluation of two low-cost electrode platforms: planar laser-ablated gold (LAG) and gold nanostructure-modified laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes for biosensing C-reactive protein (CRP), an important cardiac biomarker. LIG was produced via semiconductor laser photothermal carbonization of polyimide, producing a porous sp2-rich conductive network and subsequently Au nanostructures were deposited to obtained LIG-Au electrode. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a hierarchical three-dimensional architecture for LIG-Au, in contrast to the relatively planar metallic surface of LAG. Differences in peak-to-peak separation and redox current magnitude in electrochemical measurements are attributed to variations in surface roughness, effective surface area, and underlying graphene support. Thiolated CRP-specific DNA aptamers were covalently immobilized, and the sensing performance of the LAG and LIG-Au was systematically investigated. Both aptasensors exhibited a detection limit of 50 ng ml−1 with clinically relevant linear detection ranges of 100–5000 ng ml−1 for LAG and 250–5000 ng ml−1 for LIG-Au. This work shows that the laser-printing technologies are powerful low-cost fabrication tools to produce affordable electrodes for diagnosing cardiac biomarkers.
The demand for a versatile and portable point-of-use (POU) sensor platform has surged due to the pandemic, especially in countries with limited medical laboratory facilities. We recently unveiled a portable, non-planar, interdigitated, flow-through, porous electrode platform that automatically measures electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) signals from various biomarkers. However, the packed powder exhibited a loss of performance over time due to displacement, leaching, and poor stability. Herein, we modified the packing strategy by synthesizing the sensing material within the channel, thereby improving adhesion, structural integrity, and stability. Leveraging the exceptional thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance of polyimide (PI), we developed a novel fabrication approach that combines liquid-phase inversion and breath-figure techniques to create a porous PI manifold with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) under varying humidity conditions. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that lower relative humidity (RH) conditions yield larger but less uniformly distributed pores, leading to increased channel pressure. The manifold demonstrated exceptional stability under rigorous flow conditions, withstanding a high flow rate of 30 µL/min while maintaining consistent pressure-EIS responses. The device produced a measurable proof-of-concept impedance response following exposure to a femtomolar concentration of complementary target ssDNA in 1× PBS within 15 min. A formal limit of detection was not determined in the present study. We developed a mechanically stable sensor design with improved durability under repeated flow conditions by systematically optimizing synthesis conditions and manifold configuration. This innovative fabrication strategy demonstrates the importance of packing methodology in sensor design and paves the way for robust, scalable, and efficient diagnostic solutions in resource-limited settings.
Soft, flexible biointerfaces are attractive tools for tracking both biophysical and biochemical signals, yet conventional two-dimensional (2D) planar electrode arrays suffer from limited functional density, and standard metallic interconnects undergo bio-corrosion and oxidation in physiological fluids. Here, we report a monolithic, all-laser manufacturing strategy for 3D-integrated, multilayered flexible biointerfaces based on a structurally doped silver-nanowire/carbon-nanotube-laser-induced-graphene (AgNW/CNT-LIG) hybrid. Produced by a single-instrument, maskless, cleanroom-free workflow, the hybrid conductor attains an intrinsic electrical conductivity of 16.5 ± 1.04 kS/m-a 4.5-fold gain over pristine LIG-with mechanical durability under bending deformation over 2000 cycles. During laser sintering, the porous graphene matrix structurally encapsulates the AgNWs, shielding the metal from the electrolyte and providing markedly superior long-term stability in 1× PBS at 37 °C and against pH-induced corrosion relative to bare AgNW and Cu traces. Vertically stacking the channels into a four-layer architecture interconnected by laser-drilled vias yields ∼5 MΩ/cm interlayer isolation with uniform, reproducible trace resistance, eliminating the lateral crosstalk of coplanar arrays. We demonstrate the platform through three functions on a single architecture: a wirelessly operated flexible circuit, in vivo electroencephalography, and simultaneous electrochemical sensing of glucose (1.167 μA/mM) and lactate (1.081 μA/mM). This scalable route establishes a high-performance foundation for next-generation 3D bioelectronics and implantable closed-loop systems.
Giheon Kim, Se Hwan Park, Hyeong-U Cha et al.· Biosensors & bioelectronics· 0 citations
Electrochemical detection is widely acknowledged as a promising technique for quantifying neuroactive molecules, credited to its low cost, portable hardware, and distinctive ability to enable in vivo real-time dynamic monitoring. However, key hurdles still block the technology’s standardization, commercial clinical translation, and on-site application, including poor biocompatibility at the sensing interface, inadequate mechanical stability, and restricted detection generality. To address these drawbacks, this work introduces a multi-channel flexible microwire electrode array. Here, carbon-based nanomaterials build a high-conductivity internal backbone and an analyte-concentrating sensing surface, while chitosan (CS) supports film formation and boosts biocompatibility. These two composite film layers were modified onto the gold surface of MEMS-fabricated flexible microelectrodes via electrophoretic deposition. At optimized voltage and deposition duration, the carbon nanofiber (CNF)-modified electrode outperformed both nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (NGO) electrodes and unmodified gold electrodes. It delivered strong, well-resolved responses for tyrosine, tryptophan, norepinephrine, melatonin, and tryptamine, with detection limits of 9, 45, 50, 15, and 20 μM, respectively, alongside high reproducibility and promising initial stability. Capitalizing on the CS/CNF-Au electrode’s excellent mechanical and electrical performance, this study verifies that tuned carbon-based composite layers enable high-performance electrochemical interfaces, offering a new route to develop flexible universal detection platforms that integrate both biocompatibility and structural reliability.
Jiao Zhang, Zhiting Zhang, Chun-jian Deng et al.· Italian National Conference...· 0 citations
Hyperuricemia is characterized by abnormally elevated serum uric acid (UA) levels. Persistent hyperuricemia not only triggers gout but also causes damage to the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Therefore, utilizing non-invasive diagnostic methods for early and continuous monitoring is crucial for preventing disease progression. Herein, we reported a portable wireless electrochemical sensing platform constructed from SA-Pt/rGO/MOF catalysts prepared via photochemical deposition of platinum single atoms (Pt SAs) on reduced graphene oxide/metal-organic framework (rGO/MOF) composites. The designed single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibited exceptional electrocatalytic activity toward UA oxidation, and the fabricated sensing platform demonstrated a broad linear detection range (1-1000 μM) and relatively low detection limit (1.12 μM), with excellent selectivity and reproducibility. To enhance direct biofluid analysis, we designed a hydrophilic surface-modified microfluidic device for enhanced collection efficiency. Building upon this device, the integrated wireless microfluidic electrochemical platform enabled quantitative UA analysis and correlation studies in serum and saliva from 10 hyperuricemia patients and 10 healthy volunteers, demonstrating promising clinical utility. This work not only extended SACs applications to ultrasensitive biomarker detection but also provided a feasible strategy for developing next-generation non-invasive point-of-care testing (POCT) devices.
Oral diseases represent a major global health burden, underscoring the need for sensitive, accessible, and noninvasive diagnostic technologies. Electrochemical biosensing offers a powerful route for point‐of‐care oral health monitoring by translating biomolecular interactions in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and exhaled breath condensate into quantifiable electrical signals. This review systematically discusses electrochemical biosensing strategies for oral disease diagnosis, beginning with the structure and operating mechanisms of electrochemical sensors and then summarizing their applications in detecting disease‐related nucleic acids, proteins, pathogens, and other molecules. We further examine feasible strategies for early diagnosis, including signal amplification methods based on nanomaterials, enzyme catalysis, nucleic acid amplification, chemical deposition, and cascade integration, as well as antifouling interfaces designed to maintain stable sensing performance in complex oral biofluids. Particular attention is given to advanced transistor architectures, especially organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), which offer intrinsic signal amplification and high‐gain readout for low‐abundance biomarkers. Finally, we outline current challenges, future directions, and translational opportunities for electrochemical biosensing technologies, providing a roadmap toward precision dentistry and modern oral health management.
Xiaohong Jiang, Jintao Zheng, Huibin Ma et al.· Advanced Healthcare Material...· 1 citation
The growing demand for rapid, decentralized, and continuous health monitoring is driving the development of point‐of‐care testing (POCT) and wearable biosensing technologies. Electrochemical sensors have emerged as a leading platform owing to their high sensitivity, rapid response, and compatibility with miniaturized systems. Among these, screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) offer distinct advantages, including low cost, scalable fabrication, and facile integration into portable devices. This mini‐review summarizes recent advances in SPE‐based electrochemical biosensors, focusing on fabrication strategies, surface modification approaches, and emerging biomedical applications. The incorporation of functional materials has significantly improved analytical performance, enabling sensitive and selective detection of diverse biomarkers—from small molecules and ions to hormones, proteins, and nucleic acids—in biofluids such as blood, sweat, and interstitial fluid (ISF). These developments have facilitated practical implementations in POCT and wearable systems. Current challenges and future perspectives are also discussed, including scalable manufacturing, long‐term operational stability, and system‐level integration. This review provides a concise overview of recent progress and highlights opportunities for advancing next‐generation portable and wearable biosensing platforms.
Zhiqi Li, Lu Zhang, Yuan-Kai Chen et al.· Analysis & Sensing· 0 citations
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