Project: 3D printed electrochemical sensors

3D printed electrochemical sensors for the determination of metabolic markers in sweat

Deadline 12 May – now closed for applications

Project description:
Wearable sweat sensors have the potential to provide continuous measurements of useful analytes associated with human health.. However, currently manufactured sensors are limited in geometric design and thus are widely used for off-line bioanalytical measurements. 3D printing has the unique advantage of being able to mass produce cheaper sensing devices in any geometry. We have already developed the ability to make electrochemical sensors using 3D printed and have shown these sensors show good performance when compared to other commercially available sensing devices. Within this project we will focus on making a band sensor which can be strapped around the human chest for the measurement of two important metabolic markers (uric acid and tyrosine). We will evaluate the sensors for performance in artificial sweat before conducting measurement on human participants to showcase the ability for this sensing platform to be used for real-time in situ measurement.

I, Rico, am a PGR from an Asian background and would not have followed a career path in research if not for role models at higher levels who were also from underrepresented groups. I would like to give an opportunity, that I personally have benefited from, to other underrepresented groups to reach out and join this project. I also sit in my school’s EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) committee helping to support creating action plans to address EDI issues within my school.

Tasks and activities to be undertaken by the UG/PGT student:

  • Basic electrochemical measurements
  • Fabrication of 3D printed sensors
  • Experimental design
  • Data Analysis and presentation

Experience and knowledge required/desired:

  • Basic calculation to make chemical solutions
  • General understanding of the basics of analytical chemistry
  • Knowledge of analytical sensing

Skills, knowledge, experience to be gained:

  • Understanding of electrochemical techniques
  • Fabrication skills to make electrodes
  • Experimental design skills
  • Data analysis and presentation skills

Project lead: Rico Shergill, R.Shergill1@uni.brighton.ac.uk

School: Applied Sciences