Chemical and biosensor systems

 

Walnut Exporter

Safe drinking water requires rapid detection of both unexpected changes in water quality and specific microbial contamination. Conventional laboratory analyses provide reliable information but are typically based on discrete sampling and may therefore miss rapidly emerging contamination events. Our research addresses this challenge by developing complementary sensing and analytical approaches that combine continuous early warning with targeted detection of microbial contaminants.

For continuous water-quality surveillance, we develop electronic tongue systems based on arrays of electrochemical sensors. Pulsed voltammetric measurements generate characteristic response patterns reflecting changes in the chemical composition of water. By extracting and analyzing these multivariate signals, the system can provide continuous monitoring and early warning of contamination events, such as sewage intrusion into drinking-water distribution systems.

Alongside continuous monitoring, we develop methods for the rapid and selective detection of Escherichia coli as an indicator of fecal contamination. Because relevant bacterial concentrations in drinking water can be extremely low, our recent funded project (Formas) using approach that combine automated sample filtration and selective enrichment with flow cytometric analysis. Biological recognition strategies are integrated with optical detection to distinguish target bacteria from background microorganisms and to assess bacterial viability. Together, these complementary approaches aim to provide a monitoring framework that connects 24/7 early warning with confirmatory microbial analysis, supporting faster and more informed assessment of drinking-water safety.

References:

Winquist, F., Olsson, J., & Eriksson, M. (2011). Multicomponent analysis of drinking water by a voltammetric electronic tongue. Analytica chimica acta, 683(2), 192-197.

Jonsson, P., Lindgren, D., Asplund, M., Stavklint, H., Magounakis, M., Mokhlesi, S., Pettersson, T, Eriksson, M., Winquist, F., Jonasson, C., Ilver, D. & Strömbeck, N. (2018). Elektronisk tunga och andra onlinesensorer för detektion av föroreningar i dricksvattennätet–en utvärdering. Svenskt Vatten AB.

 

Walnut Exporter

Flexible and wearable biosensors provide new opportunities for continuous and non-invasive monitoring of physiological and biochemical information directly at the body interface. Our research focuses on integrating functional sensing materials, electrochemical biosensors, and flexible electronics into conformable platforms for personalized health monitoring and wound management.

We develop flexible skin-patch biosensors based on porous laser-induced graphene and conducting polymers. By reinforcing laser-induced graphene with PEDOT, we create mechanically stable three-dimensional transducers that combine efficient electrochemical signal transfer with a porous matrix for biomolecule immobilization. These platforms have been developed for metabolite sensing in artificial sweat, including lactate detection and simultaneous monitoring of lactate and glucose, and can be configured as both planar skin patches and three-dimensional wearable devices.

For wound management, we develop smart bandages that integrate sensing and treatment within a single flexible platform. Conducting-polymer-based sensor arrays enable monitoring of wound-related biomarkers such as pH and uric acid, while electrically controlled drug-delivery components provide on-demand release of antibiotics. Integration with flexible electronics and wireless communication provides a route toward connected wound-management systems combining quantitative wound assessment with targeted therapeutic intervention.

Building on these technologies, we aim to develop electroactive dressings based on advanced functional conducting polymers for wound theranostics. By integrating real-time biochemical sensing with electrical stimulation and responsive drug delivery, our future work will explore closed-loop therapeutic systems in which information obtained from the wound environment can guide and control treatment. Such systems could provide a new generation of smart wound-care platforms that not only monitor healing but also actively respond to changes in the wound environment.

References:

Meng, L., Liu, S., Borsa, B. A., Eriksson, M., & Mak, W. C. (2024). A conducting polymer-based array with multiplex sensing and drug delivery capabilities for smart bandages. Communications Materials, 5(1), 28.

Meng, L., Turner, A. P., & Mak, W. C. (2021). Conducting polymer-reinforced laser-irradiated graphene as a heterostructured 3D transducer for flexible skin patch biosensors. ACS applied materials & interfaces, 13(45), 54456.

 

Walnut Exporter

The growing demand for low-cost and disposable electronic devices is accompanied by increasing concerns over electronic waste and the environmental footprint of conventional device fabrication. Our research explores sustainable papertronics as an alternative platform for electroanalysis, using renewable lignocellulosic materials such as cellulose and lignin as precursors for functional electronic and sensing components.

A central approach is laser-induced graphitization, in which localized laser processing converts carbon-rich biomass-derived materials directly into electrically conductive graphitic structures. This mask-free fabrication strategy enables conductive patterns to be produced and integrated into paper-based substrates with minimal processing. Our research on laser-induced graphitic materials (LIG) has evolved from conventional synthetic polymer precursors (e.g., polyimide) toward renewable biomass-derived materials, including lignin and cellulose-based paper. This transition enables us to explore more sustainable routes for fabricating paper-based LIG (PLIG) as electrodes, electrochemical transducers, and electronic components. These materials can further be functionalized with electrocatalytic and biological recognition elements to construct disposable biosensors for applications such as metabolite detection.

Beyond individual electrodes, our research focuses on developing integrated papertronic systems. By combining laser-patterned conductive structures with paper microfluidics and interface engineering, sensing electrodes, electrical components, and fluid handling can be incorporated within the same paper-based platform. Control over surface wettability and water adhesion further enables papertronics to operate under humid, wet, and even underwater conditions, expanding their potential beyond conventional disposable paper sensors.

Our long-term goal is to establish renewable biomass as a materials platform for sustainable electronics and electroanalysis, connecting biomass-derived functional materials with scalable device fabrication, microfluidics, and sensing technologies. This provides a route toward low-cost and resource-efficient analytical systems for point-of-care diagnostics, wearable sensing, and environmental monitoring, while reducing reliance on conventional electronic materials.

References:

Meng, L., Cao, D., Jafari, A., & Eriksson, M. (2026). Water‐Stable Paper‐Based Laser‐Induced Graphene With Asymmetric Water Adhesion and Wettability. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 13(11), e70518.

Meng, L., Cao, D., Pedersen, J. O., Greczynski, G., Rogoz, V., Limbut, W., & Eriksson, M. (2025). Seamless Integration of Laser-Induced Papertronics with Parafilm-Based Microfluidics as a Versatile Paper-Based Electroanalytical Platform. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 17(27), 39719.

Malarat, N., Soleh, A., Saisahas, K., Samoson, K., Promsuwan, K., Saichanapan, J., Wangchuk, S., Meng, L. & Limbut, W. (2024). Electropolymerization of poly (phenol red) on laser-induced graphene electrode enhanced adsorption of zinc for electrochemical detection. Talanta, 272, 125751.

Meng, L., Chirtes, S., Liu, X., Eriksson, M., & Mak, W. C. (2022). A green route for lignin-derived graphene electrodes: A disposable platform for electrochemical biosensors. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 218, 114742.