Scientists have created a face mask that can detect common respiratory viruses, including influenza and coronavirus, in the air as droplets or aerosols. This very sensitive mask, presented on September 19 in the magazine Mattercan alert wearers via their mobile devices within 10 minutes if targeted pathogens are present in ambient air.
Previous research has shown that wearing a face mask can reduce the risk of spreading and contracting the disease. We therefore wanted to create a mask capable of detecting the presence of viruses in the air and alerting the wearer. »
Yin Fang, corresponding author of the study and materials scientist at Tongji University in Shanghai.
The respiratory pathogens responsible for the COVID-19 and H1N1 flu spread through small droplets and aerosols emitted by infected people when they talk, cough and sneeze. These virus-containing molecules, especially the tiny aerosols, can stay suspended in the air for a long time.
Fang and his colleagues tested the mask in a closed room by spraying the mask with the viral surface protein containing traces of liquid and aerosols. The sensor reacted to just 0.3 microliters of fluid containing viral proteins, regarding 70 to 560 times less than the volume of fluid produced by a sneeze and much less than the volume produced by coughing or speaking, Fang says.
The team designed a small sensor with aptamers, which are a type of synthetic molecule capable of identifying unique pathogen proteins like antibodies. In their proof-of-concept design, the team modified the multi-channel sensor with three types of aptamers, which can simultaneously recognize surface proteins from SARS-CoV-2, H5N1 and H1N1.
Once the aptamers bind to target proteins in the air, the connected ion-driven transistor amplifies the signal and alerts wearers via their phone. The ion gate transistor is a new type of highly sensitive device. The mask can therefore detect traces of pathogens in the air within 10 minutes.
“Our mask would work very well in poorly ventilated spaces, such as elevators or closed rooms, where the risk of getting infected is high,” Fang says. In the future, if a new respiratory virus emerges, they can easily update the sensor design to detect new pathogens, he adds.
The team then hopes to shorten detection time and further increase sensor sensitivity by optimizing the design of polymers and transistors. The team is also working to develop wearable devices for various health conditions, including cancers and cardiovascular disease.
“Currently, doctors rely heavily on their experience to diagnose and treat disease. But thanks to the richer data collected by wearable devices, the diagnosis and treatment of diseases can become more precise,” says Fang.
This work is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the Greater Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Project and the fundamental research funds of the central universities.
Source :
Journal reference:
Wang, B., et al. (2022) Wearable bioelectronic masks for wireless detection of infectious respiratory diseases by gaseous media. Matter. doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2022.08.020.
