A Glucose Microfluidic Sensor Tested in Artificial Microgravity

A microfluidic device for the detection of glucose in artificial microgravity was tested, in order to study the behavior of an electrochemical system in these conditions. The electrochemical device was designed by computational simulation, and was constructed in PMMA by the computer numerical control machine. The device consisted of a V-shaped microfluidical channel with an inlet and an output. CuPt was electrodeposited on glassy carbon, and used as electrode sensor for glucose, Ag/GC was used as reference electrode, and Pt/GC as counterelectrode. The device was tested in earth conditions and microgravity conditions (10-7 G). Microgravity was simulated in a three-axis random position machine constructed in the INICTEL-UNI (Lima, Peru). Voltammetry studies (-100 mV to 400 mV vs. Ag pseudo reference) was performed with a remote controlled potentiostat, placed in the machine, the test were carried out in glucose solution 5 mM in PBS 7.4, and with blood. A current asociated to the glucose was observed in glucose and blood, meanwhile in the blank (PBS 7.4) this current was absent. This result opens possibility of testing glucose in microgravity conditions.