Point-of-Care Sensor for Urinary Iodine

Proper iodine intake is crucial for optimal health, impacting everything from metabolism to cognitive development in utero, as well as in both children and grown adults. However, assessing iodine levels can be challenging, particularly in point-of-care or remote settings. This project seeks to address this gap by developing a disposable sensor specifically designed to measure urinary iodine levels, providing rapid and accurate insights into patient nutrition. The proposed project aims to utilize electrochemical detection and synthesis techniques involving carbon- and silver- based nanomaterials to produce and validate sensors for aqueous iodine. This work will include the design and fabrication of the sensor, calibration for iodine detection in water, synthetic urine, and then in real samples. In case of high success, portable electronics capable of driving the developed detection protocol will be also elaborated and validated.

Proper iodine intake is crucial for optimal health, impacting everything from metabolism to cognitive development in utero, as well as in both children and grown adults. However, assessing iodine levels can be challenging, particularly in point-of-care or remote settings. This project seeks to address this gap by developing a disposable sensor specifically designed to measure urinary iodine levels, providing rapid and accurate insights into patient nutrition.

The proposed project aims to utilize electrochemical detection and synthesis techniques involving carbon- and silver- based nanomaterials to produce and validate sensors for aqueous iodine. This work will include the design and fabrication of the sensor, calibration for iodine detection in water, synthetic urine, and then in real samples. In case of high success, portable electronics capable of driving the developed detection protocol will be also elaborated and validated.

Goals • Develop the method for the graphene electrode formation and deposition of nanosilver • Validate and test the sensor’s accuracy and reliability in measuring urinary iodine levels in synthetic samples of progressive complexity and real samples • Develop electronic suite capable of driving the developed sensors • Write a scientific project report Tasks • Literature review (10%) • Optimize the deposition technique and fabrication process for the sensor element (50%) • Validation of the sensor in synthetic and real life samples (20%) • Development of signal read-out electronic components (10%) • Data collection and analysis, reporting and presentation (10%) Your Profile • Background in Biomedical technology, Chemistry, Materials Science or related fields • Prior experience with chemicals and standard chemical laboratory equipment • Knowledge of electrochemistry and/or electrochemical sensing is highly desirable • Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Goals

• Develop the method for the graphene electrode formation and deposition of nanosilver

• Validate and test the sensor’s accuracy and reliability in measuring urinary iodine levels in synthetic samples of progressive complexity and real samples

• Develop electronic suite capable of driving the developed sensors

• Write a scientific project report


Tasks

• Literature review (10%)

• Optimize the deposition technique and fabrication process for the sensor element (50%)

• Validation of the sensor in synthetic and real life samples (20%)

• Development of signal read-out electronic components (10%)

• Data collection and analysis, reporting and presentation (10%)


Your Profile

• Background in Biomedical technology, Chemistry, Materials Science or related fields

• Prior experience with chemicals and standard chemical laboratory equipment

• Knowledge of electrochemistry and/or electrochemical sensing is highly desirable

• Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Prof Dr Carlo Menon and Dr. Alexander Shokurov will supervise the student and the research will be performed at ETH Zurich’s Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group (www.bmht.ethz.ch) in the Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland. When applying, please describe your motivation and your background in the cover letter, and attach your CV and all the transcripts of the previous studies.

Prof Dr Carlo Menon and Dr. Alexander Shokurov will supervise the student and the research will be performed at ETH Zurich’s Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group (www.bmht.ethz.ch) in the Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland. When applying, please describe your motivation and your background in the cover letter, and attach your CV and all the transcripts of the previous studies.