We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBE SCIENTIFIC, LLC

Download Mobile App




Carbon Nanotubes Help Build Highly Accurate Sensors for Continuous Health Monitoring

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Mar 2025

Current sensors can measure various health indicators, such as blood glucose levels, in the body. More...

However, there is a need to develop more accurate and sensitive sensor materials that can detect lower concentrations of certain substances. For instance, female hormones are present in the body at concentrations millions of times lower than glucose. To effectively study hormone fluctuations, highly sensitive sensors are required, and this necessitates a significant improvement in the accuracy of biosensors. In a new study, researchers have developed nanomaterials that could contribute to more accurate sensors for future healthcare applications. These advancements could lead to continuous health monitoring, enabled by carbon nanotubes.

Researchers at the University of Turku (Turku, Finland) have successfully created sensors using single-wall carbon nanotubes, which are well-suited for such applications. Single-wall carbon nanotubes are made from a single atomic layer of graphene. Until now, a major challenge in developing these materials has been that the nanotube manufacturing process yields a mix of conductive and semi-conductive nanotubes, which vary in chirality—the way the graphene sheet is rolled into the cylindrical shape of the nanotube. The electrical and chemical properties of nanotubes are highly dependent on their chirality. The research team developed methods to separate nanotubes with different chiralities, and in this study, they successfully distinguished between two nanotubes with similar chiralities while identifying their typical electrochemical properties.

By purifying and separating the carbon nanotubes, the researchers were able to test their differences as sensor materials. Although nanotubes are typically used in hybrid sensors when combined with other surfactants, the current study focused on sensors made entirely from nanotubes. Furthermore, the researchers gained precise control over the concentration of nanotubes, allowing them to compare the properties of different chiralities. One key finding was that one type of nanotube (6.5) was more efficient than the other (6.6) in adsorbing dopamine. Adsorption, which refers to the ability of a material to bind atoms or molecules to its surface, is especially crucial when the concentrations of the substances being measured are very low. The study's results are the first to demonstrate that the electrochemical response of the sensor is influenced by chirality. In future research, computational models could be employed to determine the optimal chirality for measuring each molecule.

“The result is significant because by being able to precisely control the properties of carbon nanotubes we can fine-tune the ability of the sensor material to detect changes in specific substances," said Doctoral Researcher Ju-Yeon Seo.

Related Links:
University of Turku


New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Modular Hemostasis Automation Solution
CN Track
New
Shaking Incubator
Corning LSE 71L
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Schematic overview of the deep learning-based circulating exosome analysis for lung cancer detection (Photo courtesy of Chuan Xu, Cheng Jiang)

Liquid Biopsy Approach to Transform Diagnosis, Monitoring and Treatment of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related deaths globally, with its biological complexity and diverse regulatory processes making diagnosis and treatment particularly difficult.... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The Aiforia Breast Cancer Grading AI solution is CE-IVD marked (Photo courtesy of Aiforia Technologies)

Clinical AI Solution for Automatic Breast Cancer Grading Improves Diagnostic Accuracy

Labs that use traditional image analysis methods often suffer from bottlenecks and delays. By digitizing their pathology practices, labs can streamline their work, allowing them to take on larger caseloads... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.