Diabetes appears to be rapidly multiplying across the globe. With the number of diabetics surging, new techniques for treatment of the disease seem indispensable. Chemical and Biochemical Engineering professor Jin Zhang at The University of Western Ontario now reveals that nanocomposites could change diabetes treatment .
An interesting development by the researcher will now allow diabetics to check their glucose levels right from their eyes. That’s right! Diabetics could soon be able to wear contact lenses that may alert them of variations in their glucose levels through changes in the color of the lens. This technique could replace the need of routinely drawing blood all through the day.
A non-invasive technology, this new finding claims to put to use extremely small nanoparticles that are embedded into the hydrogel lenses. Apparently these engineered nanoparticles react with glucose molecules that are present in tears. This may lead to a chemical reaction consequently changing the color of the lens.
Zhang is believed to have received $216,342 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to further develop technologies that use multifunctional nanocomposites. These technologies may additionally have vast applications that could go much beyond biomedical devices like food packaging.
Overall, Western was awarded $2,659,595 for 12 projects from the CFI’s Leaders Opportunity Fund today.