Soft and skin-compliant sensors for non-invasive estradiol monitoring

Research Project, 2026 – 2030

More than 10% of reproductive-age women in the EU are affected by endometriosis, a condition linked to the hormone estradiol. Beyond its association with endometriosis, estradiol levels significantly influence bone, brain, and muscle health, as well as the progression of ovarian and breast cancer. Despite its importance, estradiol is rarely measured in individuals because current assessment methods rely on costly and invasive blood tests. There is an urgent need for low-cost, non-invasive sensing technologies to monitor estradiol concentrations, enabling the recognition of hormonal imbalances and advancing precision medicine for women.In the proposed work, I will develop soft and skin-compliant sensors for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of estradiol in sweat and saliva. Current sensors fall short due to inadequate sensitivity, selectivity, and skin conformability. My research addresses these challenges by introducing a novel class of hierarchical carbon materials, known as carbon flowers, which offer precise control over morphology and surface functionalization to enhance sensitivity. We will achieve the necessary selectivity by applying polymeric coatings that improve estradiol detection while minimizing interference from non-target biomarkers. Ultimately, we will create soft devices and conduct in vivo testing. Through this approach, I aim to not only advance the field of chemical sensing but also make a meaningful impact on women’s health.