Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Photonic Hydrogel Sensors, Ali K. Yetisen, Haider Butt, Lisa R Volpatti, Ida Pavlichenko, Matjaž Humar, Sheldon J.J.Kwok Sheldon J.J.Kwok, Heebeom Koo, Ki Su Kim, Izabela Naydenova, Ali Khademhosseini, Sei Kwang Hahnk, Seok Hyun Yunaf

Articles

Analyte-sensitive hydrogels that incorporate optical structures have emerged as sensing platforms for point-of-care diagnostics. The optical properties of the hydrogel sensors can be rationally designed and fabricated through self-assembly, microfabrication or laser writing. The advantages of photonic hydrogel sensors over conventional assay formats include label-free, quantitative, reusable, and continuous measurement capability that can be integrated with equipment-free text or image display. This Review explains the operation principles of photonic hydrogel sensors, presents syntheses of stimuli-responsive polymers, and provides an overview of qualitative and quantitative readout technologies. Applications in clinical samples are discussed, and potential future directions are identified.