# OIST prototype fabric sensor detects PFOA and PFOS in water on site, without a lab

- Published: 2026-11-15 08:31 UTC
- Section: Science › Instruments & experiments
- Tags: PFAS detection, forever chemicals, portable sensor, molecularly imprinted polymers, screen-printed electrodes, PFOA PFOS, on-site water testing, potentiostat
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-0f04eccfde4d5ab1186661be_oist_prototype_fabric/

**Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers built a prototype electrochemical sensor on fabric that detects PFOA and PFOS in water without reagents, outside a laboratory.**

![OIST prototype fabric sensor detects PFOA and PFOS in water on site, without a lab](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/1526ac0089f522c8.jpg)
*bioengineer.org*

Researchers from the Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have created a prototype platform for detecting PFAS in water on the spot, according to a report on eurekalert.org. The device is described in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics. The authors demonstrated that it works for PFOA and PFOS, the two most common PFAS with documented health risks [1].

Conventional PFAS analysis requires collecting samples and sending them to specialized laboratories with mass spectrometers. These methods are sensitive and accurate, but costly and slow [1].

## Molecularly imprinted polymers as synthetic antibodies

The team designed a new class of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) shaped to fit PFAS. The material forms around the target molecule, creating a binding site. The molecule is then washed away, and the remaining polymer recognizes and captures it again, like a lock shaped for a key. For this reason MIPs are often called synthetic antibodies [1].

The device measures changes in electrical current as PFAS molecules bind to a sensor coated with PFAS-specific MIPs. The greater the change in current, the higher the PFAS concentration in the water sample. The measurement needs no additional chemical reagents [1].

## Screen-printed electrodes on fabric

For the prototype, the researchers screen-printed 100 disposable electrodes onto repurposed fabric in a few hours. The electrodes were coated with PFAS-specific MIPs and connected to commercially available potentiostats, which measure electrical signals and can plug directly into a smartphone or laptop [1].

The MIP manufacturing method is modular: the target molecule can be replaced with another member of the PFAS family. The family includes more than 10,000 chemicals, of which 50-150 are regulated worldwide [1].

According to Dr. Mark Sullivan, the same platform could potentially be adapted to detect other PFAS compounds. Dr. Perrine Lasserre said such a system could help local agencies or families decide whether and how to address possible contamination, for example by alerting municipal authorities or by choosing to install a water filter. Professor Amy Shen said the study shows that synthetic molecular recognition can be combined with low-cost electrochemical devices to detect extremely small concentrations of these chemicals. She noted that further development and field validation are needed [1].

## Sources

1. [eurekalert.org](https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1149202)
2. [bioengineer.org](https://bioengineer.org/portable-fabric-sensor-quickly-and-accurately-detects-forever-chemicals-in-water)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-0f04eccfde4d5ab1186661be_oist_prototype_fabric/