| dc.description.abstract | Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world. This disease develops as a result of either disrupted insulin production (type 1) or altered insulin absorption (type 2), leading to increased blood glucose levels over long periods of time. High blood glucose levels lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular damage, nerve degeneration, and vision damage. As one of the most expensive diseases to treat, it is important to reduce the cost of detecting glucose levels as much as possible without sacrificing accuracy. It is common for patients with diabetes to utilize two classes of devices to monitor glucose levels: single use test strips and continuous glucose monitors. To attempt to improve these devices, two devices were created which represent both classes of glucose sensors. The first was created using the method of molecular imprinting and is used as the single use test strips. Polyaniline (PANI) was used as the conducting polymer, soaked on a paper substrate. The second was fabricated using a similar technique also using PANI to create a flexible glucose sensing ink. Instead of using glucose as a template for MIP, GOx is immobilized in the PANI using its own oxidation reaction, allowing for the PANI monomers to form on any substrate that the ink is deposited on, rather than during the fabrication process. | en |
