Sensing and monitoring technologies play a crucial role in the management of diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. People with diabetes need to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels to ensure that they are within a healthy range. This can be done through self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), which involves using a glucose meter to measure glucose levels in capillary blood. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is another option that involves wearing a small device that continuously measures glucose levels and sends the data to a receiver or smartphone. Sensing technologies can help people with diabetes to better manage their condition by providing real-time data on glucose levels and other physiological parameters, allowing them to make informed decisions about insulin dosing, meal planning, and physical activity.

Prof. Witthauer’s research group is dedicated to advancing sensing technology in order to improve diabetes management.

One focus of the research is the development of a delay-free glucose sensing technology, which is a key step towards the creation of an artificial pancreas. Additionally, the group is interested in measuring hormones, ketone bodies, and lactate to enable patient-specific diagnosis and treatment.

Another focus of the research is the development of smart algorithms for existing sensing technologies, such as the ceiling-mounted radar sensor used in the Moonwalk project. This project aims at alerting people with diabetes to potential problems such as hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) and hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose).