Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensors for Emotional Well-Being

The EmotionalSigns project aims to develop an innovative technology for the rapid and minimally invasive monitoring of biomarkers associated with stress and emotional well-being. The system combines advanced chemical sensors capable of detecting cortisol and lactate in saliva and sweat with microfluidic platforms and complementary physiological signals, such as heart rate variability and skin conductance. Designed as a self-monitoring and decision-support tool rather than a medical diagnostic device, EmotionalSigns seeks to provide objective and accessible information on emotional states, particularly for individuals with communication difficulties. The project contributes to the development of next-generation assistive technologies for well-being assessment in everyday environments.

Funding: 

This project, EmotionalSigns: Development of a Minimally Invasive Disruptive Technology for Stress and Emotional State Monitoring in People with Communication Difficulties (CPP2023-010707), is funded through the 2023 Public-Private Collaboration Projects Programme. The project is supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), the State Research Agency (AEI) (grant reference 10.13039/501100011033), and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER), European Union.

Publications: 

Michael J. Sell, Joan A. López, Karen T. Bayona, Angeles Ivón Rodríguez-Villarreal, Josep Farré-Lladós, Jasmina Casals-Terré (2026) The Future of Cortisol Detection: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence. Microchemical Journal, 224, 117804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2026.117804