Researcher receives patent for device he sought advice from a Project Development Team on in 2011

Mangilal Agarwal, PhD, has been awarded a patent from the US Patent Office for a low-cost ultralight flexible proximity sensor. Agarwal is director of the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute.

In 2011, Agarwal brough his idea for the sensor to the Human Health & Biomedical Technology PDT. He received valuable advice that allowed him to develop his idea into a tangible technological advancement. The proximity sensor can detect objects with a resolution of 100 microns with numerous frequencies—all while consuming less power than alternatives. The new technology has a wide range of uses from wearable devices and health monitoring to automotive and aerospace applications.

Agarwal also spoke at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Indiana CTSI. There, he shared his research on a wearable breath-based sensor to help monitor blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. He is currently recruiting participants aged 12-19 with Type 1 diabetes in the Indianapolis area who use a Dexcom continuous glucose meter (learn more). The goal of the study is to investigate whether a wearable device can be used to detect blood sugar levels in individuals with Type 1 diabetes by sensing chemicals in the wearer’s breath, and whether it is comparable to the data collected by a continuous glucose monitor.