Regenerable, closed-loop, nonenzymatic continuous glucose monitoring enabled by in situ electrochemical interfacial alkalinization
Continuous glucose monitoring in interstitial fluid (ISF) is important for diabetes management, but enzyme-based sensors can lose activity, while many nonenzymatic alternatives show optimal activity in alkaline media. Here we present a regenerable wrist-worn hollow microneedle platform for closed-loop nonenzymatic ISF glucose monitoring. Negative pressure extracts ISF into a detachable sensor cartridge that separates the tissue interface from the electrochemical sensing chamber and enables rinsing and reuse. A brief cathodic step triggers the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at an Au–Pt/Ni foam electrode, electrochemically generating a local alkaline interface for the subsequent glucose oxidation reaction (GOR). Integrated pH feedback regulates the HER–GOR sequence. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate rapid ISF extraction and quasi-continuous glucose monitoring in rats, with preliminary feasibility in one human participant. This work illustrates local microenvironment regulation as a strategy for enabling alkaline-dependent glucose electrocatalysis in near-neutral ISF. Continuous glucose monitoring is central to diabetes management, yet conventional testing provides only intermittent snapshots and may miss clinically important glycaemic fluctuations. Here, the authors present a wrist-worn hollow microneedle platform that combines active interstitial fluid extraction with nonenzymatic electrochemical glucose sensing in a wearable format. Its detachable microneedle cartridge enables independent cleaning or replacement, supporting quasi-continuous monitoring while improving practicality and long-term usability for wearable glucose tracking.
Authors
- Jieyao Qin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1146-1510)
- FU Zhuan
- Ke Lin
- Weilin Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7619-0707)
- Jiajing Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7918-1040)
- Wei Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3380-1010)
- Junyao Gong
- Liangjun Xia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3128-6767)
- Chunhua Zhang
- Qiang Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4117-2123)
- Sijie Zhou
Institutions
- East China University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Wuhan Textile University (CN)
- Tongji Hospital (CN)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2026-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-78619-1
- Primary Topic
- Electrochemical sensors and biosensors
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province
- China National Textile and Apparel Council
- Wuhan Textile University