Using graphene based sensors for ex-situ monitoring of neurodegenerative disorders

Objective:
To build an end to end pipeline, consisting of wearable sensors built out of 2D materials and a data analysis framework, to detect and analyse eye blink patterns of patients
suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

Proposed Method:
During this PhD, it is intended that two main lines of research are pursued. First, is to build a wireless version of a previously constructed device developed in Manchester. Published work has demonstrated that it is possible to construct a RFID sensor out of graphene, albeit for different applications. The second line is to investigate whether the data coming in from these sensors could actually be helpful in identifying blinking patterns in people with Parkinson's/Alzheimer's. Parkinson's disease represents a good starting point to test the effectiveness of these sensors given the existence of other diagnostic/monitoring tools which should serve as a good source of ground truth. If time permits, the work will be extended to investigate the possibility of creating a contact lens with a MoS2 sensing element that transmits the data over radio frequency. This sensor would differ from the other strain based devices, since it would be measuring changes in light intensity, rather than changes in resistance.