Based on the information shared with Effectual Services so far, Effectual Services understands that the client wants to identify - Wearable Sensors/ devices for the Non-invasive detection of Nicotine.  

Nicotine is a naturally produced alkaloid found in tobacco leaves. It accounts for about 95% of the total alkaloid content in tobacco, used in the production of cigarettes, cigars or flake tobaccos with content varying from 1 to 30 mg/g. It is one of the most  heavily used addictive stimulant. The regular intake of nicotine through smoke of the burning tobacco products is toxic for both active and passive smokers and can cause several negative outcomes in human health such as cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous diseases and even cancer. Absorption of nicotine can be through oral intake, lungs, urinary bladder, gastrointestinal tract, and its base form can be also easily absorbed through the skin.

The currently available nicotine detection kits in the market face several limitations, including low sensitivity or specificity, making them prone to false positives or negatives. These kits does not provide a quantitative analysis and some may be invasive. These kits have a short detection window due to nicotine’s rapid metabolism, and some even fail to detect its longer-lasting metabolite – cotinine. Thus, there’s a need to identify non-invasive biosensors for the detection of nicotine, providing a continuous and real-time measurement of nicotine.

Nicotine, an addictive substance in tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), is recognized for increasing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Careful real-time monitoring of nicotine exposure is critical in alleviating the potential health impacts of not just smokers but also those exposed to second-hand and third-hand smoke. Monitoring of nicotine requires suitable sensing material to detect nicotine selectively and testing under free-living conditions in the standard environment.

The objective of the present study will be to identify Wearable Sensors/ devices for the Non-invasive, continuous and real-time detection of Nicotine.

The Client is looking for answers to the following - 

• Wearable Sensors/ technologies for the Non-invasive detection of Nicotine – What are the various wearable sensing technologies available for the non-invasive detection of Nicotine? What mechanism do they offer for detection? Do these technologies provide real-time & continuous monitoring of Nicotine? Which of these have the possibility of scaling up in the future?
• Market Players – Who are the market players/ research institutions active in the domain? What sensing technologies these players are utilizing for nicotine detection? 

Introduction

• Analyte sensing refers to the ability to detect and quantify specific chemical or biological substances. It plays a vital role across diverse sectors including environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, food safety, and industrial quality control. By enabling the identification of pollutants, contaminants, or disease-specific biomarkers, analyte sensing contributes to a safer, healthier, and more informed world.
• Historically, analyte detection relied on classical wet chemistry techniques, such as: Colorimetry, Gravimetry, Titrimetry, Separation methods like precipitation, extraction, and distillation. While these methods laid the groundwork for modern analytical chemistry, they were manual, time-consuming, and required large sample volumes. Most importantly, they were qualitative or semi-quantitative, and could not provide real-time data, which is critical in time-sensitive scenarios like clinical diagnostics or industrial process control.
• Shift Towards Real-time Analysis: The limitations of classical methods created a pressing need for real-time analyte sensing—the capability to detect and measure analytes continuously or instantaneously as they fluctuate. Real-time sensing enables timely decision-making, enhances safety, and improves efficiency across various applications.
• The journey toward real-time sensing began with electrochemical technologies:
  • The Clark oxygen electrode (1962) marked a key milestone. It could continuously measure dissolved oxygen by converting oxygen levels into an electrical signal.
  • This was followed by ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), which enabled continuous pH and ion concentration monitoring. These sensors could function in situ, making them ideal for integration into dynamic environments such as bioreactors or bodily fluids.
• A major leap occurred with the introduction of enzyme-based biosensors, especially for blood glucose monitoring. First-generation glucose meters allowed for relatively rapid measurements, though they lacked precision and continuous capability. This limitation spurred the development of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)—wearable devices that provide real-time, ongoing glucose readings, significantly advancing diabetes management and patient outcomes.
• Then arrived the techniques that expanded real-time sensing to the molecular scale such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR); Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET);  Near-Infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy. These methods provided a real-time and continuous monitoring of analytes.
• With advancements in miniaturization, wireless technology, and data analytics, real-time sensing has entered everyday life. Wearable devices—such as smartwatches and fitness trackers—can now monitor heart rate, oxygen saturation, glucose, and more in real time, empowering individuals to manage their health proactively.

Need for Nicotine Monitoring Device 

• Nicotine, an addictive substance in tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), is recognized for increasing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
• A continuous monitoring of nicotine will help individuals to understand their peak cravings and relapse triggers; provide the researchers an accurate data for drug development  especially for nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) and anti-addiction medications, etc.
• The desire to monitor nicotine led to the development of nicotine detection kits, many of which were invasive in nature—requiring blood samples or fluid extraction. These presented various limitations such as discomfort or user compliance, risk of infection, reduced sensor sensitivity over time, frequent calibration, costly etc. These drawbacks make them unsuitable for long-term personal use, especially outside clinical settings.
• To overcome the challenges of invasive systems, there is an urgent need to develop non-invasive, wearable sensors that can detect nicotine or its metabolites (e.g., cotinine) through body fluids such as sweat, saliva, tears etc. This would enable pain-free, real-time and continuous monitoring.

The growing burden of nicotine addiction and the limitations of invasive technologies clearly point to the need for advanced, non-invasive, wearable nicotine monitoring systems. These tools will play a pivotal role in personal health management, addiction treatment, and public health research—ultimately contributing to a smoke-free future.