First Noninvasive Cortisol Detector to Monitor Stress, Mental Conditions

Blood tests can measure levels of cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” in the body. But a blood test can raise a person’s stress level itself, and it can’t be done frequently, nor without a medical professional. Now researchers at Caltech are reporting on the first noninvasive, wearable sensor that can detect changes in cortisol levels directly from sweat in the skin. It’s made of graphene, a layer of carbon only one layer thick that has tiny holes throughout. These holes contain cortisol antibodies that bind to the cortisol in sweat, and this can be detected electronically by the sensor.