Nanomaterial-Enabled Cortisol Biosensors for Wearable Stress Monitoring: Sensing Strategies, Material Characteristics, and Design Perspectives

Abstract

Stress is any change in the environment that the body requires to react and adjust in response, due to which different mental and physical illness symptoms are observed. Endocrine hormones are generated from the main part of the brain. Physical changes in the body like breathing rate, heart rate, sugar level, perspiration, and feelings of fear are observed when endocrine hormones enter the bloodstream. Cortisol is a stress hormone produced and released by adrenal glands on top of the kidneys. It is a trigger factor in controlling diseases of lifestyle, Obesity, hypertension. Cortisol levels increase during stressful events. A balanced level of cortisol is essential. Extremely high and low cortisol cause diseases like Cushing's syndrome, Addison’s disease, and adrenal cancers. Bio-Nanosensors are used to detect the level of these hormones. These sensors detect biological elements and use different types of nanomaterials at the nanoscale. Nanotechnology has enabled to design of sensors with smaller size, better stability, and more sensitivity. Physical miniaturization of chip for Bio-Nanosensors are essential figure of merit. When cortisol level is high or low, sensor will biped the signal so that immediate treatment can be provided. Cortisol measurement should be dynamic such that rapid level of hormone can be detected. Non-Invasive based bio-nanosensors with different sensing materials can be used. Fabrication of sensor is depending on selecting different nanomaterials and defining different process. A wearable device consist of sensor and electronics can detect and monitor level of cortisol hormone for prevention of diseases in body which saves human life.