Biomimetic laser-induced graphene fern leaf and enzymatic biosensor for pesticide spray collection and monitoring.

Monitoring of pesticide concentration distribution across farm fields is crucial to ensure precise and efficient application while preventing overuse or untreated areas. Inspired by nature's wettability patterns, we developed a biomimetic fern leaf pesticide collection patch using laser-induced graphene (LIG) alongside an external electrochemical LIG biosensor. This "collect-and-sense" system allows for rapid pesticide spray monitoring in the farm field.

Enzymatic Laser-Induced Graphene Biosensor for Electrochemical Sensing of the Herbicide Glyphosate.

Glyphosate is a globally applied herbicide yet it has been relatively undetectable in-field samples outside of gold-standard techniques. Its presumed nontoxicity toward humans has been contested by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, while it has been detected in farmers' urine, surface waters and crop residues. Rapid, on-site detection of glyphosate is hindered by lack of field-deployable and easy-to-use sensors that circumvent sample transportation to limited laboratories that possess the equipment needed for detection.

Tuning the Structure, Conductivity, and Wettability of Laser-Induced Graphene for Multiplexed Open Microfluidic Environmental Biosensing and Energy Storage Devices.

The integration of microfluidics and electrochemical cells is at the forefront of emerging sensors and energy systems; however, a fabrication scheme that can create both the microfluidics and electrochemical cells in a scalable fashion is still lacking. We present a one-step, mask-free process to create, pattern, and tune laser-induced graphene (LIG) with a ubiquitous CO laser. The laser parameters are adjusted to create LIG with different electrical conductivity, surface morphology, and surface wettability without the need for postchemical modification.

Electrochemical Sensing of Neonicotinoids Using Laser-Induced Graphene.

Neonicotinoids are the fastest-growing insecticide accounting for over 25% of the global pesticide market and are capable of controlling a range of pests that damage croplands, home yards/gardens, and golf course greens. However, widespread use has led to nontarget organism decline in pollinators, insects, and birds, while chronic, sublethal effects on humans are still largely unknown. Therefore, there is a need to understand how prevalent neonicotinoids are in the environment as there are currently no commercially available field-deployable sensors capable of measuring neonicotinoid concentrations in surface waters.