A novel copper-based porous film has been created at the Institute For Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia.

The unique characteristic of this copper film is that it can detect and measure blood glucose levels easily and with a good deal of accuracy in salt-associated body fluids.

The current trend for regular assessments of blood sugar levels is to insert a glucose-monitoring device just under the skin. The wearer of the device is spared the hassle of pricking the skin for a drop of blood to be used to measure blood glucose levels in a glucose monitor.

In comes the relevance of the porous, sponge-like copper film. In general, the glucose-monitoring sensors are made of expensive metals, such as gold or platinum, which are good conductors but are very expensive.

Copper is relatively cheap and is abundant in comparison to the previous metals. Copper also has good conductivity. These characteristics make it a favorable choice as a sensor to detect blood glucose levels.

According to the lead researcher of the project, Professor Yusuke Yamauchi, a porous copper film was constructed to prevent the oxidation of copper. The porosity was generated by combining liquid solutions of copper and polystyrene. The copper-polystyrene mix can then be used to bind a substrate, for example glucose. UV light is used to melt the polystyrene creating holes in the copper-polystyrene mix making it a porous surface.

“The copper film that is generated can specifically detect low levels of blood glucose as well as the oxidation of glucose in the presence of other sugars and acids in body fluids that can sometimes quickly evaporate (e.g. tears, sweat).” 

The advantage of this copper sensor is the cost of manufacturing the sensor. The relatively low cost of copper, its enhanced specificity for glucose and its sensitivity to detect different forms of glucose, makes it an ideal candidate in the use of glucose-monitoring sensors.

The research also highlights the utility of low cost materials in remote areas that cannot gain access to regular public health services.

The study suggests that the porous copper film can be used instead of the platinum or gold sensor in the glucose-monitoring device that is worn under the skin. The device will certainly be cheaper and affordable to the average public.

The study has shown that the management of different conditions, such as diabetes, can be carried out with the help of low cost technologies. 

This novel research was recently published in August 2016 in the journal Angewandte Chemie.