Bio-Compatible Hydrogels For Continuous Glucose Monitors
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
2nd Place
Abstract
The Wang Group Lab in the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of South Carolina has developed an effective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device utilizing a bio-compatible hydrogel to detect glucose concentration in diabetic patients. The purpose of this experiment was to synthesize a gel with high stability (that is, not prone to decomposition), high porosity (allows sugar to pass through quickly and not collect), and high selectivity (reacts only with glucose, not other sugars) for use in a commercially viable CGM. We created gels with discrete ratios of key components and tested their properties using a rheometer. Through these experiments, we found an optimized recipe that exhibits the properties of stability, porosity, and selectivity. This recipe, in combination with the Wang group’s CGM, may prove useful to diabetic patients seeking a faster, more accurate, and more convenient alternative to current blood-prick monitors
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Gordon, "Bio-Compatible Hydrogels For Continuous Glucose Monitors" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 18.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/18
Start Date
4-11-2015 9:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2015 9:45 AM
Bio-Compatible Hydrogels For Continuous Glucose Monitors
The Wang Group Lab in the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of South Carolina has developed an effective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device utilizing a bio-compatible hydrogel to detect glucose concentration in diabetic patients. The purpose of this experiment was to synthesize a gel with high stability (that is, not prone to decomposition), high porosity (allows sugar to pass through quickly and not collect), and high selectivity (reacts only with glucose, not other sugars) for use in a commercially viable CGM. We created gels with discrete ratios of key components and tested their properties using a rheometer. Through these experiments, we found an optimized recipe that exhibits the properties of stability, porosity, and selectivity. This recipe, in combination with the Wang group’s CGM, may prove useful to diabetic patients seeking a faster, more accurate, and more convenient alternative to current blood-prick monitors
Mentor
Mentor: Qian Wang, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina