Diamond senses glucose

Diamond senses glucose

Keywords: Sensors, Pharmaceutical

The diamond sensor can detect glucose in urine samples, running along the liquid chromatographic column with as much as 100 times greater sensitivity than existing platinum and carbon sensors. It can identify the presence of glucose in concentrations as low as 0.01 ppm and since the sensor can also detect the presence of normally difficult-to-spot substances such as caffeine, researchers believe that it can be used by food processors and drugmakers.

The sensor is made from a diamond film measuring 1&times1 cm and 10 microns thick, deposited on a silicon substrate. Since electricity does not pass through a film made only of diamond, the material is doped with boron, a material that is normally dangerous to handle. The Tokyo University research team in charge of the project has been able to devise a safer procedure using boron dissolved in methanol.