PAGE TITLE
Overview
PAGE SUMMARY
Electrolytes such as sodium play an important role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. Sweat is the visible manifestation of a body’s attempt to correct electrolytic imbalances due to changes in hydration state. However, the appearance of dampness on clothing is insufficient to assess homeostasis because electrolyte concentration in sweat varies highly across individuals and may be perturbed by medical conditions such as diabetes and cystic fibrosis. Researchers at Drexel University have created sodium-specific colorimetric sensors that can be readily manufactured and woven into chitosan fibrous nanomats. When woven into wearable textiles, these sensors provide a more specific and sensitive measure of sodium excretion from the body, which can be used to tailor electrolyte replenishment regimens to an individual’s needs.
APPLICATIONS
TITLE: Applications
Electrolyte (sodium) sensor for optimizing athletic performance
Electrolyte (sodium) sensor for monitoring diseases such as cystic fibrosis or diabetes
ADVANTAGES
TITLE:Advantages
Colorimetric sensors for visual detection of sodium levels in sweat
Non-combustible manufacturing process
Nanofiber mats that can be embedded within other textiles to create wearable clothing (work in progress)
IP STATUS
Intellectual Property and Development Status
United States Issued Patent- 9,163,338
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=9163338.PN.&OS=PN/9163338&RS=PN/9163338
PUBLICATIONS
References
Pubinfo should be the citation for your publication. Publink is the full url linking to the publication online or a pdf.
Jessica D. Schiffman, Caroline L. Schauer Polymer Reviews 2008, 48(2) 1-36. “A Review: Electrospinning of Biopolymer Nanofibers and their Applications”
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15583720802022182
Matthew D. Cathell, Janah C. Szewczyk, Frances A. Bui, Carrie A. Webber, Jessica D. Wolever, Jenny Kang#, Caroline L. Schauer Biomacromolecules, 2008 9(1) 289-295. “Structurally Colored Thiol Chitosan Thin Films as a Platform for Aqueous Heavy Metal Ion Detection
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bm700845z
Commercialization Opportunities
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Contact Information
Web Site
http://drexelnanophotonics.com
For Technical Information:
Caroline Schauer, Ph.D
Associate Professor, Dept. of Material Sciences and Engineering
LeBow 439A, Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Phone: 1-215-895-6797
E-mail: cschauer@coe.drexel.edu
For Intellectual Property and Licensing Information:
Elizabeth Poppert, Ph.D.
Licensing Manager
Office of Technology Commercialization
The Left Bank
3180 Chestnut Street, Suite 104
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 1-215-895-0999
Email: lizpoppert@drexel.edu