Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur develops flexible sensors for early cancer detection

Key facts

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur are developing next-generation flexible semiconductor devices for continuous health monitoring and early disease detection.
• The work is carried out at the HESTECH (Hybrid Electronic Sensor Technologies) Lab led by Dr Akshay Moudgil, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
• The Organic Electrochemical Transistor (OECT) technology enables flexible, biocompatible sensors for interfacing with biological signals and fluids.
• The low-power wearable sensors use biocompatible hybrid semiconductor materials fabricated on thin, flexible substrates for skin-conformal devices.
• The biochemical sensors aim to detect clinically relevant biomarkers in biofluids such as saliva, serum and blood for point-of-care diagnostics.
• The lab is developing soft ECG patches for cardiac assessment, EMG sensors for muscle activity tracking, and pressure and temperature sensors to detect early signs of pressure ulcers.
• The flexible semiconductor sensors can monitor physiological stress indicators such as cardiac load, dehydration, fatigue, heat stress and muscle strain for defence personnel.