Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring
This project explores a flexible germanium selenide (GeSe) nanomaterial photodetector that measures optical rotation associated with glucose, with machine-learning methods used for laboratory calibration. The work is at the laboratory stage and is now in a third-generation prototype. It is research, not a clinical product, and it is not being offered as a medical device.
The Technology
The sensing element is a flexible GeSe photodetector on a PET substrate. GeSe is a two-dimensional semiconductor whose photocurrent depends on the polarization of incident light. Glucose in solution rotates the polarization of light passing through it, and the detector converts that rotation into an electrical signal without external polarizers. Machine-learning methods are used to calibrate the signal in laboratory measurements.
Publications and code
Kopp, M. B. (2026). Next-generation polarimetric biosensors: machine learning–driven GeSe photodetectors for noninvasive glucose monitoring. Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X, 28, 100725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosx.2025.100725 (sole author, open access).
Kopp, M. B. (2024). Flexible nanomaterial sensors for non-invasive health monitoring. Applied and Computational Engineering, 72(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.54254/2755-2721/72/20240981
Code and notes: github.com/maximilian-kopp/gese-glucose-biosensor. Researcher profiles: Google Scholar · GitHub.
Related U.S. patent applications (applications, not granted patents): No. 19/203,391 (utility nonprovisional, filed May 9, 2025) and No. 63/726,463 (provisional, filed November 29, 2024).
Comments from Dean Vijay Kumar, University of Pennsylvania
Vijay Kumar, the Kennedy Family Dean of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, beamed with pride as he commended Max’s groundbreaking work. He praised Max’s inventive use of nanomaterials and polarized light in non-invasive glucose monitoring, noting that such ingenuity exemplifies the spirit of Penn Engineering’s tradition of translating deep scientific insight into real-world impact. Dean Kumar encouraged Max to continue pushing the boundaries of wearable health technology, emphasizing that his research not only advances the field but also has the potential to transform lives.
Comments from Professor Jacob Gardner, University of Pennsylvania
Jacob Gardner, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, praised Max’s inventive fusion of flexible electronics and nanomaterial sensors. He commended the mechanical resilience of Max’s wearable glucose monitor and highlighted its potential to redefine at-home health diagnostics. Professor Gardner encouraged Max to continue exploring new substrate materials and microfabrication techniques.
Why It Matters
Conventional glucose monitoring relies on needles or implanted sensors. This laboratory research explores whether optical sensing could, in the future, reduce some of those barriers. That is a research aim, not a product.
Research aim: lower-cost sensing
A design goal of the laboratory work is lower-cost, needle-free sensing. No cost claims are made for a product.
Research aim: comfortable wear
A design goal is a needle-free, lightweight, reusable sensor suited to wearable use. This remains a research aim.
Research aim: fewer barriers
A research aim is to reduce the physical and financial barriers to glucose monitoring.
Current Status
This work is at the laboratory stage and is now in a third-generation prototype. VitaSensor is the research project that grew out of it. It is not a commercial product and is not in human trials.
