The Principles and Applications of Biodegradable Sensors

By Ankit SinghReviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Apr 23 2024

The world of sensors is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the development of biodegradable materials. These innovative sensors offer a unique solution, addressing growing concerns around electronic waste and minimizing invasive procedures in medical applications. This article delves into the principles behind biodegradable sensors, their diverse applications, and the exciting advancements shaping their future.

Image Credit: Ralf Maassen (DTEurope)/Shutterstock.com

From Traditional Sensors to Biodegradable Solutions

Traditional sensors rely on non-biodegradable materials and contribute to the problem of electronic waste. Improper disposal of e-waste can lead to environmental contamination and health hazards. Additionally, in medical applications, traditional sensors often require implantation for monitoring purposes. Removing these sensors after use can necessitate secondary surgeries, posing risks to patients and increasing healthcare costs.¹

Biodegradable sensors address these challenges by utilizing materials that naturally decompose in the environment or within the body after serving their purpose. This eliminates the need for complex disposal procedures and reduces the environmental impact of sensor technology. Furthermore, biodegradable sensors intended for medical applications can be designed to degrade harmlessly in the body, thus eliminating the need for secondary surgeries and enhancing patient comfort and safety.¹

The history of biodegradable sensors dates back to the early 2000s. Initially, research focused on biocompatible polymers like poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a well-established material in the field of drug delivery due to its biocompatibility and controlled degradation profile. Since then, advancements in materials science and bioengineering have led to the development of more sophisticated biodegradable sensors that offer improved functionalities.

Currently, researchers are exploring a wider range of biodegradable materials including natural polymers such as chitosan and silk fibroin, and synthetic polymers that are specifically tailored for sensor applications.²

Working Principles of Biodegradable Sensors

Biodegradable sensors are a new type of sensor that functions similarly to traditional sensors but with key modifications to ensure biocompatibility and degradation. The foundation of a biodegradable sensor lies in its materials, and polymers such as PLGA, polylactic acids (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and chitosan are commonly used due to their biocompatibility and ability to degrade under physiological conditions or in the environment.

These sensors are designed to ensure that they do not trigger adverse reactions within the body or negatively impact the surrounding environment. The choice of material also determines the degradation rate of the sensor. For instance, depending on its composition and processing, PLGA can be tailored to degrade over a span of weeks to years, depending on its specific composition and processing methods.^2-4

The sensing mechanism of a biodegradable sensor varies depending on the target analyte that is being detected. Biodegradable sensors can utilize electrochemical, optical, or piezoelectric principles similar to traditional sensors. For example, some biodegradable sensors use enzymes or antibodies that specifically interact with the target analyte. When the target molecule binds to the sensor surface, it triggers a measurable electrical or optical response. This response can then be translated into a quantitative measurement of the analyte concentration.⁵

The degradation process of a biodegradable sensor is carefully designed to ensure the sensor functions effectively during its operational timeframe and then disintegrates harmlessly. The degradation can occur through enzymatic processes within the body or hydrolysis in the environment, and the degradation rate is carefully controlled to ensure the sensor functions effectively for its intended duration before safely degrading into non-toxic byproducts.⁵

Learn more about how biodegradable sensors work.

Diverse Applications of Biodegradable Sensors

Biodegradable sensors have the potential to revolutionize various sectors due to their unique combination of functionality, biocompatibility, and degradability, which enables innovative applications that were previously limited by traditional sensor technology.

In the biomedical field, biodegradable sensors transform healthcare by allowing minimally invasive and continuous monitoring. Implantable sensors can track vital signs such as temperature, pressure, blood glucose levels, and even brain activity.This continuous monitoring fosters early detection of critical events, enhances diagnostic capabilities, and enables personalized treatment. Furthermore, biodegradable sensors hold promise for drug delivery, where they can degrade and release therapeutic agents at controlled rates.^2,3

Beyond healthcare, biodegradable sensors play a pivotal role in environmental monitoring. Deployed in water bodies, they monitor pollutants like heavy metals, organic contaminants, and pathogens. Similarly, these sensors contribute to air quality monitoring by detecting pollutants such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.^6,7

In terms of food safety and agriculture, biodegradable sensors can be integrated into food packaging to monitor freshness and detect spoilage. These sensors can change color or emit a signal when food quality deteriorates, preventing foodborne illnesses and reducing food waste. They can also be used to track temperature fluctuations during transportation and storage, ensuring optimal conditions for food preservation.

Additionally, in agriculture, biodegradable sensors monitor soil conditions like moisture content, nutrient levels, and pH, informing optimized irrigation practices, fertilizer application, and crop yield enhancement. Furthermore, they detect plant diseases and pests, facilitating targeted interventions and reducing reliance on harmful pesticides.^7,8

Advantages of Biodegradable Sensors

Biodegradable sensors offer a range of compelling advantages, particularly their eco-friendly nature. Unlike traditional non-biodegradable sensors, these sensors degrade naturally over time, making them an environmentally conscious alternative that minimizes pollution and landfill waste.^1,2

Moreover, biodegradable implants can eliminate the need for secondary surgeries required to remove traditional sensors. This results in improved patient comfort, reduced healthcare costs, and a lower risk of infection associated with additional procedures.^1,3

In addition, biodegradable sensors offer an added level of flexibility in design and fabrication, allowing for the development of custom-tailored solutions to meet specific application requirements. They are also compatible with advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing and microfabrication, which enhances their versatility and potential for integration into complex systems.^1,3,5

Challenges and Considerations

Biodegradable sensors offer promising applications, yet several challenges hinder their widespread adoption. Material design is a critical aspect, as it demands a delicate balance between biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sensor functionality. The materials must maintain robustness for accurate performance while degrading at a controlled pace within the desired timeframe.² Additionally, the limited shelf life of biodegradable materials poses concerns, requiring careful packaging and storage conditions to preserve sensor efficacy upon deployment. Balancing the desired degradation timeline with shelf life adds complexity to this issue.^2,5

Furthermore, ensuring consistent and reliable sensor signals throughout the degradation process necessitates further research and development efforts. Signal fluctuations can compromise data accuracy and diminish sensor effectiveness. Therefore, more work needs to be done to ensure signal stability.^2,5

Latest Developments in Biodegradable Sensors

Recent advancements in the field of biodegradable sensors have garnered significant attention from researchers. Investigations into novel materials, such as silk fibroin and composites, aim to enhance both sensor performance and degradation control. Moreover, the integration of biodegradable polymers with conductive polymers or nanoparticles shows promise in improving sensitivity and functionality.⁹

Exploration into the fusion of biodegradable sensors with wireless communication capabilities is underway, offering the potential for remote data collection and analysis. This innovation could revolutionize data management, particularly in environmental monitoring applications.¹⁰

Another area of focus is the development of self-healing mechanisms for biodegradable sensors. These mechanisms could enable sensors to maintain functionality even after experiencing minor damage during deployment or use, thereby enhancing their reliability and robustness.¹¹

Future Prospects and Conclusion

Looking ahead, the future of biodegradable sensors appears promising. Current research and development efforts are focused on overcoming existing challenges and expanding their applications. Advancements in material science, fabrication techniques, and wireless communication technologies are anticipated to fuel innovation in the field of biodegradable sensors. This will lead to the development of more capable, sensitive, and multi-functional devices.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms with biodegradable sensors could significantly enhance data analysis capabilities, enabling predictive modeling and personalized healthcare solutions. As the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly technologies continues to grow, biodegradable sensors are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of environmental monitoring, healthcare, and agriculture.¹²

In conclusion, biodegradable sensors have emerged as a promising solution for a sustainable and patient-friendly future. These sensors offer a unique combination of functionality, biocompatibility, and degradability, which make them suitable for innovative applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, food safety, and agriculture.

While challenges remain in material design, shelf life, and signal stability, active research is overcoming these barriers. Advances in materials science, wireless communication, and self-healing technologies are poised to enhance the sophistication and versatility of biodegradable sensors. As costs decline and technology progresses, these sensors are anticipated to see broad adoption across multiple sectors, playing a crucial role in fostering a more sustainable and healthy future.

References and Further Reading

1. Hu, C., Wang, L., Liu, S., Sheng, X., & Yin, L. (2024). Recent Development of Implantable Chemical Sensors Utilizing Flexible and Biodegradable Materials for Biomedical Applications. ACS Nano. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c11832
2. Alam, F., Ashfaq Ahmed, M., Jalal, A. H., Siddiquee, I., Adury, R. Z., Hossain, G. M. M., & Pala, N. (2024). Recent Progress and Challenges of Implantable Biodegradable Biosensors. Micromachines, 15(4), 475. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040475
3. Shaikh, A. A., Datta, P., Dastidar, P., Majumder, A., Das, M. D., Manna, P., & Roy, S. (2024). Biopolymer-based nanocomposites for application in biomedicine: a review. Journal of Polymer Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2023-0166
4. Srivastava, A., Bhati, P., Singh, S., Agrawal, M., Kumari, N., Vashisth, P., Chauhan, P., & Bhatnagar, N. (2024). A review on polylactic acid‐based blends/composites and the role of compatibilizers in biomedical engineering applications. Polymer Engineering & Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.26626
5. Janićijević, Ž., Huang, T., Bojórquez, D. I. S., Tonmoy, T. H., Pané, S., Makarov, D., & Baraban, L. (2024). Design and Development of Transient Sensing Devices for Healthcare Applications. Advanced Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202307232
6. Manikandan, R., Rajarathinam, T., Jayaraman, S., Jang, H.-G., Yoon, J.-H., Lee, J., Paik, H.-j., & Chang, S.-C. (2024). Recent advances in miniaturized electrochemical analyzers for hazardous heavy metal sensing in environmental samples. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 499, 215487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2023.215487
7. McLamore, E. S., Alocilja, E., Gomes, C., Gunasekaran, S., Jenkins, D., Datta, S. P. A., Li, Y., Mao, Y. (., Nugen, S. R., Reyes-De-Corcuera, J. I., Takhistov, P., Tsyusko, O., Cochran, J. P., Tzeng, T.-R. (., Yoon, J.-Y., Yu, C., & Zhou, A. (2021). FEAST of biosensors: Food, environmental and agricultural sensing technologies (FEAST) in North America. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 178, 113011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2021.113011
8. Jiang, ., Wang, F., Li, Q. et al. Environment and food safety: a novel integrative review. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 28, 54511–54530 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16069-6
9. Zhang, H., Xu, D., Zhang, Y., Li, M., & Chai, R. (2022). Silk fibroin hydrogels for biomedical applications. Smart Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1002/smmd.20220011
10. De Santis, M., & Cacciotti, I. (2020). Wireless implantable and biodegradable sensors for postsurgery monitoring: current status and future perspectives. Nanotechnology, 31(25), 252001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ab7a2d
11. Khatib, M., Zohar, O., & Haick, H. (2021). Self‐Healing Soft Sensors: From Material Design to Implementation. Advanced Materials, 33(11), 2004190. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202004190
12. Manickam, P., Mariappan, S. A., Murugesan, S. M., Hansda, S., Kaushik, A., Shinde, R., & Thipperudraswamy, S. P. (2022). Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) Assisted Biomedical Systems for Intelligent Healthcare. Biosensors, 12(8), 562. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12080562

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