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.

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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

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article

Regenerable, closed-loop, nonenzymatic continuous glucose monitoring enabled by in situ electrochemical interfacial alkalinization

Jieyao Qin, FU Zhuan, Ke Lin, Weilin Xu et al.
Nature Communications
Electrochemical sensors and biosensors
article

Regenerable, closed-loop, nonenzymatic continuous glucose monitoring enabled by in situ electrochemical interfacial alkalinization

Jieyao Qin, FU Zhuan, Ke Lin, Weilin Xu, Jiajing Zhang, Wei Zhang, Junyao Gong, Liangjun Xia, Chunhua Zhang, Qiang Zeng, Sijie Zhou
article en

Abstract

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.

Nature Communications
East China University of Science and Technology (CN), Wuhan Textile University (CN), Tongji Hospital (CN), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, China National Textile and Apparel Council, Wuhan Textile University
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 23%
Electrochemical sensors and biosensors
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