# Paper-Based Analytical Devices Coupled with Fluorescence Detection and Smartphone Imaging: Advances and Applications

**Authors:** Constantinos K. Zacharis

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/s26031012 · Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026-02-04

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how paper-based devices with smartphone imaging can detect chemicals and biological substances quickly and affordably.

## Contribution

The paper presents recent innovations in fluorescence sensing using nanomaterials and smartphone integration for portable diagnostics.

## Key findings

- Nanomaterials and quantum dots enhance sensitivity and selectivity in paper-based sensors.
- Smartphones improve portability and data processing for on-site analysis.
- These devices are applicable in food safety, bioanalysis, and environmental monitoring.

## Abstract

Paper-based analytical devices have emerged as a versatile and cost-effective platform for on-site chemical and biological analysis. The integration of fluorescence detection with smartphone imaging has significantly enhanced the analytical performance and portability of these systems, enabling sensitive, rapid, and user-friendly detection of diverse analytes. This review highlights recent advancements in paper-based fluorescence sensing technologies, focusing on their design principles, materials, and detection strategies. Emphasis is placed on the use of nanomaterials, quantum dots, and carbon-based fluorophores that improve sensitivity and selectivity in food, bioanalytical, and environmental applications. The role of smartphones as optical detectors and data processing tools is explored, underscoring innovations in image analysis, calibration algorithms, and app-based quantification methods.

## Full-text entities

- **Chemicals:** carbon (MESH:D002244)

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12900092/full.md

## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12900092/full.md

## References

100 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12900092/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12900092