Here comes an innovative technology which would help solve the dilemma of millions of diabetic patients who are subjected to routine withdrawal of blood to check glucose variation.A unique kind of lenses have been developed by Chemical and Biochemical Engineering professor Jin Zhang at the University of Western Ontario.These lenses would constantly alert diabetics about fluctuations in blood glucose level by a change in colour.It uses extremely minute nanoparticles impregnated into the hydrogel lenses .These engineered nanoparticles change colour upon reaction with glucose found in tears through a chemical reaction.This invasive technology would avoid the need for routine draw of blood. Zhang is also involved in further research to develop technologies using multifunctional nanocomposites.These technologies have vast potential applications beyond biomedical devices, including for food packaging. For example, nanocomposite films can prevent food spoilage by preventing oxygen, carbon dioxide and moisture from reaching fresh meats and other foods, or by measuring pathogenic contamination; others can make packaging increasingly biodegradable.
