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What is the context of this research?

The goal of this research project is to answer the question: can we use this novel technology to noninvasively detect blood glucose levels at clinically significant levels?



We will be using a unique electromagnetic (EM) sensing system that measures intrinsic properties of the glucose molecule in the blood. Because changes in blood glucose levels affect these properties, we hypothesize that we can pinpoint this technology to specifically target glucose. We will first conduct tests to detect glucose measurement with this technology, and then test to see if we can distinguish changes in measurement based on different glucose concentrations.



What is the significance of this project?

This technology challenges the status quo of existing measurement practices and advances innovative research in noninvasive glucose sensing. As research moves toward an artificial pancreas, there is an overwhelming need for better glucose sensing systems that make it easier to check your blood sugar. This means developing a system with:



No lags

Greater accuracy

Increased sensor life

Better ease of use

Decreased cost and replaceable parts

What are the goals of the project?

This project seeks to test a technology that overcomes these existing challenges. We are here because this is a unique opportunity to perform innovative research with a direct impact on making the lives of people with type 1 diabetes better.

1) Perform tests to measure blood glucose using noninvasive sensing system



Here, we will scan aqueous solutions of glucose to determine if we can find its signal on our EM spectra

The main goal is to confirm it is glucose we are measuring

Here, we will scan different glucose concentrations - from 1mg/dL to 400 mg/dL to determine how the signal changes based on different concentrations

Our main goal is to determine distinguishable changes we can measure with this technology

2) Perform tests to distinguish different concentrations of glucoseOur experimental setup consists of physical solutions mimicking the blood (called phantom models) that will be tested using EM sensing equipment. Specialized software will be used to process signal depth into the body.*Stretch goal funding - see Lab Notes!