Scientists Use Wings to Improve Blood Glucose Monitoring
Michael Plishka — July 1, 2009 — Lifestyle
References: sciencealert.au
Inspiration can come on the wings of the wind, or cicadas. While walking through the poster sessions at a conference, researcher Dr. Paul Stoddart’s eyes were drawn to a photograph of the nano-structure of a cicada’s wings.
It contained the perfect pattern for creating an improved sensor. So Dr. Stoddart explored the neighborhoods around him and found cicadas, took off their wings, coated the wings with gold or silver, and bounced laser light off them.
The result was nothing short of amazing. By using sensors modeled on this cicada pattern, continuous, cost effective blood-glucose monitoring for diabetics could be on the horizon.
It contained the perfect pattern for creating an improved sensor. So Dr. Stoddart explored the neighborhoods around him and found cicadas, took off their wings, coated the wings with gold or silver, and bounced laser light off them.
The result was nothing short of amazing. By using sensors modeled on this cicada pattern, continuous, cost effective blood-glucose monitoring for diabetics could be on the horizon.
Trend Themes
1. Nano-structured Sensors - Using the nano-structure of cicada wings as inspiration, researchers can develop improved sensors for various applications.
2. Continuous Glucose Monitoring - Developing sensors based on the cicada pattern offers opportunities for continuous and cost-effective blood-glucose monitoring for diabetics.
3. Biomimicry in Sensor Technology - Exploring natural patterns, like the cicada wings, can lead to innovative biomimetic designs in sensor technology.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Devices - The development of continuous glucose monitoring sensors based on cicada wings' nano-structure opens up new advancements in the medical devices industry.
2. Biotechnology - Biomimicry-focused research into cicada wings' nano-structure presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the biotechnology industry.
3. Healthcare Technology - Applying the cicada-inspired sensors to glucose monitoring can revolutionize healthcare technology and improve patient outcomes.
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