Energy Harvesting Based Glucose Sensor

Blood glucose self-monitoring plays an essential role in the life of diabetic people. A regular control helps diabetic persons to avoid acute complications, e.g. hypoglycaemic coma, and can reduce the risk of long-term consequences of diabetes. The implementation and usage of wireless technologies, e.g. NFC, in smartphones are a big step forward for diabetes home monitoring. Near Field Communication (NFC) is a wireless technology which allows the transmission of data and energy over short distances. The transmitted energy can be used for energy harvesting and in conjunction with low power electronic smart sensor solution reduced in size, weight and costs can be realized. We developed a smart glucose meter based on an amperometric measurement. The prototype is powered by the NFC interface of a smartphone. A user friendly mobile app completes the smart sensor system. The measured blood glucose is visualized on the smartphone and is stored in a diary automatically.