Wireless Detection System for Glucose and pH Sensing in Exhaled Breath Condensate Using AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors

• Published in: IEEE sensors journal Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 64 - 70
• Main Authors: Byung Hwan Chu, Kang, B.S., Chang, C.Y., Ren, F., Goh, A., Sciullo, A., Wu, W., Lin, J., Gila, B.P., Pearton, S.J., Johnson, J.W., Piner, E.L., Linthicum, K.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Aluminum gallium nitride; Cooling; Current measurement; Exhaled breath condensate; Gallium nitride; glucose; HEMTs; high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs); Humans; Measurement standards; MODFETs; Sugar; Wireless sensor networks
• ISSN: 1530-437X; 1558-1748
• DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2009.2035213

Peltier element cooling of ungated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) is shown to be an effective method for condensing exhaled breath, enabling the measurement of the pH and glucose of the exhaled breath condensate (EBC). By comparison with standard solutions, the current change measured in the HEMTs with EBC shows that the sensitivity of the glucose detection is lower than the glucose concentration in the EBC of healthy human subjects and the pH of the condensate from the exhaled breath is within the range of 7-8, typical of that for human blood. The HEMT sensors can be integrated into a wireless data transmission system that allows for remote monitoring. Details of the transmitter and receiver design for the transmission system are given. Our work demonstrates the possibility of using AlGaN/GaN HEMTs for extended investigations of airway pathology without the need for clinical visits.