Scientists have developed the thinnest and most sensitive flow sensor

Flow sensors, also known as flow meters, are devices used to measure

velocity of liquid or gas flows.Biofluid flow rate is a key physiological parameter. The problem is that existing flow sensors are either too bulky or lack precision and stability. The new flow sensor developed by the UMass team relies on graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice, to extract charge from a continuous flow of water. This provides an efficient flow measurement strategy. The graphene flow sensor detects the flow rate with micrometer per second accuracy and can distinguish minute changes in blood flow in capillary vessels. It is self-powered and provides key performance indicators that are hundreds of times higher than other electrical similar devices. So far, the sensor service life is more than six months.

Scientists emphasize that the graphene sensoris the first self-powered device with high performance. The device can be implanted for long-term monitoring of biofluid flow. Most of all, the flowmeter is useful in healthcare. Implanting the UMass scientists' flow micromonitor into a small blood vessel is much easier and safer than existing flow meters. They are not suitable for low flow measurements and must be installed in a larger blood vessel. Scientists and physicians may find it useful for their research and clinical applications, for example, to study the speed of blood flow in the deep vessels of the brain. Ultimately, this will help to better understand the functioning of the neurons that control blood flow.

Graphene is a key material forsensor development. The unique combination of graphene's inherent properties - ultra-high sensitivity, ultra-low electrical noise, minimal contact electrification with aqueous solutions, outstanding chemical and mechanical resistance and immunity to biofouling - together provide high flowmeter performance.

In the future, scientists plan to integrate the flow sensor into a stand-alone device and study in more detail the possibilities of its use in healthcare.

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