There are plenty of applications for biosensors, and the ability to mass-produce these sensors by printing has plenty of potential. Already, printed biosensors are finding many industrial opportunities.

In October 2016, Sun Chemical acquired Gwent Electronic Materials, in addition to Gwent’s sister company, Applied Enzyme Technology, to provide a one-stop solution for printed biosensor needs. In 2018, Applied Enzyme Technology was reintroduced as SunSens.

Maria Owen, strategic accounts manager, Sun Chemical, noted that while there were market offerings that provided pieces of the necessary liquid compounds to create printed biosensor technology, there was no single solution that provided all of the materials necessary for printed biosensors.

“Products utilizing SunSens technology are commercialized and available now,” Owen added. “While building the electronics takes a minimal amount of time, there is a significant amount of R&D required to understand the enzyme biology needed to construct the biosensor. This results in years between concept and commercialization for the products, sometimes taking up to five years to bring into development.”

Enzymes are a biological catalyst used in the detection of analytes using a biosensor. Under contract research, SunSens studies the stabilization of enzymes and antibodies of interest to customers in specific industries. Owens noted as an example, SunSens technology helps to create biosensors for the agri-food market to measure low levels of sugars in potatoes, including glucose, sucrose and fructose.

“SunSens produces products and solutions under contract research, and by utilizing conductive and insulation inks and pastes, offers an all-encompassing solution for biosensor materials,” Owen noted. “The benefit of this single solution enables customers in multiple industries to minimize the partners and suppliers necessary for materials purchasing, creating a streamlined buying process for biosensor materials.”

There are plenty of markets where SunSens is of interest, beginning with medical applications.

“For example, in the medical field, blue-chip pharmaceutical companies hold an interest in SunSens offerings as we hold a patent specially for biosensors monitoring glucose within saliva,” Owen noted. “Additionally, enterprises of all sizes, including research centers and universities, utilize SunSens as they develop niche biosensors for specific applications such as monitoring kidney failure, heart conditions, non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring, allergies and more.

“In the wearables market, SunSens is utilized in sports for performance purposes to sense hydration levels to combat dehydration,” she added. “Furthermore, SunSens technology is used for sensitive detection of transdermal alcohol for those with alcohol use disorder.”

SunSens is also used in environmental and agricultural applications.

“For the environmental market, SunSens can be used in monitoring water quality and for the detection of heavy metals in water,” Owen reported. “Biosensors can be used in the agri-food industry, sensing the levels of glucose, sucrose and fructose, which are precursors to toxic acrylamide in foods such as potatoes. This toxin is known to lead to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. With SunSens technology, agri-food biosensors can reduce the risk of these diseases.

“Additionally, SunSens technology can be used for animal health as biosensors can help monitor health and detect diseases, she added. “Furthermore, antibody stabilizers can naturally boost newborn immune systems in livestock such as bovine, who are susceptible to pathogenic variants of E. coli.”

Owen noted that Sun Chemical is well-positioned to develop a product like SunSens.

“With more than 200 years of expertise in the printing industry, combined with 26 years of experience working in the biosensor industry with highly demanding blue-chip companies and 15 years of experience working as part of large consortiums, Sun Chemical understands market demands and has the network of resources necessary for innovative technology such as SunSens,” Owen said. “Additionally, Sun Chemical’s global presence, state-of-the-art lab equipment and highly skilled technologists allow us to build processes, procedures and IT programs to ensure projects are tracked, followed and delivered in a timely manner.”

Owen added that Sun Chemical continues to see a lot of interest in SunSens.

“The demand for a single-stop shop for biosensor materials has created significant interest in SunSens technology within the industries mentioned previously,” Owen concluded. “A single solution offering quality materials at an affordable price has piqued the interest of companies of all sizes and has provided us with a steady stream of inquiries and business for SunSens technology.”