X-ray footprinting is done at the National Synchrotron Light Source II at Brookhaven National Laboratory, using a specialised beamline designed and operated by Case Western University. Credit: Air Force Research Laboratory.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has launched a joint project in partnership with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) to speed up biosensor development.

The $2m partnership development will focus on the detection of biomarkers for stress and fatigue.

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The study of stress biomarker presence in the body is one way to research the effects of stress. However, a sensor is required to detect such biomarkers.

The 711th Human Performance Wing expressed interest to design such sensors.

Project lead Dr Lawrence Drummy said: “This project has come out of a lot of in-house collaborative work between the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate and AFRL’s 711th Human Performance Wing that focuses on molecular recognition and real-time monitoring.

“Drug and vaccine studies look for molecular recognition elements, such as antibodies, for a given target.

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“We want to use similar types of molecular recognition in sensors that can identify hormones and neurotransmitters for monitoring Airman stress and fatigue in real-time, while also demonstrating they work in real-world conditions.”

AFRL noted that a new type of biosensor, a graphene field effect transistor (FET), is employed to perform the sensing.

FET uses a molecular recognition element that the ‘target’ molecule will bind to.

As the target biomarkers are present in sweat and saliva, the sensing process is completely non-invasive.

The sensor will be designed to be incorporated into a wearable device such as a ‘fitness tracker’ for a long-term study.

The project is part of the AFRL-founded ‘Nano-Bio Materials Consortium (NBMC)’.