“Fabrication, Characterization and Techno-economic Analysis (TEA) of low-cost, sustainable, non-invasive, and anti-microbial sweat-glucose sensors”
Country of Study
South Africa
Institution
University of Witwatersrand
Expected Year of Completion
2024
Thematic Area
Energy and Engineering
Education
Letta is pursuing her PhD in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, where she is also working as a Laboratory Assistant. She has an MSc in Engineering from the same institution and is expected to complete her studies in 2024.
Research Summary
Sensor devices currently in the market are made of synthetic polymers, and are often single-use or have a short lifespan and are therefore not very sustainable. The study of hydrogels as potential soft functional materials has gathered prominence and has been used as a drug delivery depot and to maintain cell-based living sensors. Due to their biocompatibility, hydrogels are appropriate for applications involving the skin, wound, or body interface in wearable devices. Ultra-stretchable and self-adhesive nano cellulosic hydrogels are emerging as suitable candidates for flexible wearable electronics. Letta’s research suggests that the use of lignin to manufacture the sensors’ substrate offers a solution that is biodegradable and low-cost. This is an environmentally conscious choice since the sensors are single use. The other issue presented by the sensors on the market is that the synthetic polymer material causes skin irritation and lignin has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and it will help contextualise the problem.
Publications:
1. Coupled GO–MWCNT Composite Ink for Enhanced Dispersibility and Synthesis of Screen-Printing Electrodes
2. “The Effect of gC3N4 Materials on Pb (II) and Cd (II) Detection Using Disposable Screen-Printed Sensors.” Electrocatalysis 10, no. 2 (2019): 149-155
3. Printed paper-based electrochemical sensors for low-cost point-of-need applications
