Face masks today protect us from contracting novel coronavirus; however, they might soon be able to detect COVID-19 too.?
Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have designed a mask that can detect COVID-19 in just 90 minutes.
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The masks are layered with tiny disposable sensors that can be fitted into face masks and can also be reconfigured to detect other viruses.
The sensors are based on freeze-dried cellular machinery that the research team had initially developed for detecting viruses like Zika and Ebola. The sensors are cell-free circuit components that are freeze-dried and actually remain stable for months until they¡¯re rehydrated.?
When they come in contact with water, they interact with their target molecule (any DNA/RNA sequence) and produce a signal in the form of changing the colour. In the most recent iteration, the researchers have embedded these sensors into textiles with an idea to create lab coats for healthcare workers who are at risk for potential exposure to harmful pathogens.?
In order to make wearable sensors, they layered the freeze-dried components into a small section of this synthetic fabric which was surrounded by silicone elastomer. This prevented the sample from evaporating.
To test this out, they made a jacket with around 30 such sensors. The test showed that a small splash of liquid containing viral particles (simulating droplets from an infected individual) can hydrate the frozen cell components and activate the sensor along the way, changing the colour that¡¯s easily visible through the naked eye.
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The sensors are designed in a way that needs to be manually activated by the individual, whenever they feel like taking the test. Moreover, the sensor is situated inside the mask so the results will only be revealed in the privacy of the mask wearer.?
For face masks, the same sensors were embedded in the paper of the mask and the sensor got a similar silicon elastomer treatment. However, the sensor was on the inside, collecting particles of the wearer¡¯s breath. Also in the mask is a small water reservoir that can be released to activate the sensor in case the person is ready to take the test.?
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Peter Nguyen, a research scientist at Harvard University¡¯s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering explained, ¡°This test is as sensitive as the gold standard, highly sensitive PCR tests, but it¡¯s as fast as the antigen tests that are used for quick analysis of Covid-19.¡±
Luis Soenksen, a Venture Builder at MIT¡¯s Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic for Machine Learning in Health and a former postdoc at the Wyss Institute added, ¡°Through these demonstrations, we have essentially shrunk down the functionality of state-of-the-art molecular testing facilities into a format compatible with wearable scenarios across a variety of applications.¡±