Biosensor Engineering Lab

Biosensor Engineering Lab
This image showcases a cutting-edge 3D-printed sensor developed in our lab for rapid, on-site detection of calcium and phosphate ions in cow milk to diagnose subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH), a prevalent yet often unnoticed condition impairing dairy cow health and productivity. By utilizing innovative microstructured surfaces and a solid-contact ion-to-electron transducer, the sensor achieves attomolar sensitivity and delivers results within seconds, enabling farmers to monitor metabolic health conveniently and affordably without invasive blood tests or expensive lab equipment. This aligns with our lab’s focus on developing scalable, multiplexed, and highly sensitive electrochemical sensors using advanced materials and 3D printing, aiming to transform veterinary diagnostics and promote sustainable dairy farming through accessible, real-time monitoring tools. Photo courtesy of Matin Ataei Kachouei, Ph.D. Student.
We welcome you to visit the Biosensor Engineering Lab at Virginia Tech!
Biosensors are widely applied as diagnostic tools for human health status; however, they are not exploited fully for monitoring livestock health and well-being. Our lab is interested in bringing innovative solutions in the area of precision livestock farming and sustainable agriculture by introducing next-generation biosensor devices. Our cutting-edge research focuses on advanced biosensors — particularly lab-on-a-chip, implantable sensors, all-solid-state sensors, Si-MEMS sensors, and Internet-of-Things. To develop these devices, we are exploring different manufacturing modalities including soft-lithography, additive manufacturing (3D printing), electroplating, screen printing, and micromachining. With the novel functionalities of advanced nanomanufacturing of devices (3D micro or nanostructure geometry) and the Internet-of-things, biosensors are gaining much attention for point-of-care diagnostics applications. Ultimately, rapid sensing of biomarkers and agriculture parameters via these smart sensors can address unmet needs for animal well-being, sustainable agriculture, and human health.
We are dedicated to changing the world through the invention of novel and affordable sensors. The implementation of these smart sensors can not only improve animal health and productivity but also support climate-smart agriculture and hence better human health. We are excited to make a major impact on agricultural farming practices and the economy.
Thank you for visiting us.

Latest Publications
Attomolar-sensitive milk fever sensor using 3D-printed multiplex sensing structures, Nature Communications 16 (1), 265, 2025.
Advancing Multi‐Ion Sensing with Poly‐Octylthiophene: 3D‐Printed Milker‐Implantable Microfluidic Device , Advanced Science 11 (47), 2470291, 2024.
Advancing Multi‐Ion Sensing with Poly‐Octylthiophene: 3D‐Printed Milker‐Implantable Microfluidic Device, Advanced Science 11 (47), 2408314, 2024.
Functionalized graphene-based biosensors for early detection of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 16 (39), 51932-51943, 2024.
An Advanced Healthcare Sensing Platform for Direct Detection of Viral Proteins in Seconds at Femtomolar Concentrations via Aerosol Jet 3D‐Printed Nano and Biomaterials, Advanced Materials Interfaces 11 (14), 2400005, 2024.