Mealworms Turned into Eco-Friendly Humidity Sensors

Turning mealworms into a smart sensor that can measure humidity! Scientists did just that by using chitosan, a substance found in the mealworm's biomass. They mixed this chitosan with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to create a flexible film with copper electrodes. This film can detect humidity changes in real-time. To understand the film better, researchers used several tests. They looked at its chemical structure through FTIR spectroscopy, checked how water-friendly it was with contact angle measurements, and even tested its strength with tensile testing. The results showed that the film was stable and ready to work as a sensor. The sensor could measure humidity ranging from 6% to 97%, with a sensitivity of 2. 43 kΩ/%RH. It responded quickly to changes, taking only 18. 22 seconds to react and 22. 39 seconds to recover. Plus, it was very good at telling the difference between water vapor and other chemicals in the air. How does it work so well? Chitosan can form little bonds with water molecules, called hydrogen bonds. Computer simulations showed that these bonds help protons move around, changing the film's conductivity. This happens in different ways depending on the humidity level. But here’s a cool part: this sensor can connect to the Internet of Things (IoT)! This means you can monitor humidity wirelessly and see the data on your phone in real-time. Compared to other sensors, this one has a wider range, faster response, and is much better for the environment. Who knew mealworms could be so useful? This eco-friendly sensor could be great for checking the environment, helping with smart farming, and controlling industrial processes.