Chinese researchers have now presented the prototype of a mask that can identify certain viruses in the wearer’s ambient air and warn him. FITBOOK explains which pathogens are involved and how the mask works.
face masks became an important means of containment during the corona pandemic worldwide. By making sure that the wearer doesn’t have as many aerosols inhaled, they can reduce the risk of infection. But they may soon be able to do even more. Researchers from China have now presented a new development that enables masks to recognize certain viruses and warn of them. The viruses that can be identified in this way are the respiratory pathogens Corona and bird and swine flu.
Masks should offer even better protection
Viruses that lead to flu or Covid spread through small airborne droplets and aerosols that infected people speak, Cough or Sneeze release. In the future, masks should be able to protect even better than before once morest these virus-containing molecules. This is what scientists from Shanghai claim: “Previous research has shown that wearing face masks can reduce the risk of spreading and contracting the disease. Therefore, we wanted to develop a mask that can detect the presence of viruses in the air and warn the wearer,” Yin Fang from Tongji University in Shanghai and corresponding author of the study explained in a press release the background of the research project.1
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How does the virus-detecting mask work?
The research team designed bioelectronic modules that can be integrated into face masks. They direct the aerosols in the air through a valve to a sensor equipped with aptamers. Aptamers are a type of synthetic molecules that like proteins unique to pathogens antibody can identify. The mask prototype was equipped with three types of aptamers that can simultaneously recognize surface proteins from SARS-CoV-2, H5N1 and H1N1. So you can identify corona and two types of influenza virus that cause bird flu and swine flu respectively.
In addition, ion-controlled transistors are connected to the bioelectronic masks. Once the aptamers bind to the target proteins in the air surrounding the mask wearer, this transistor amplifies the signal and alerts the wearer of the novel mask via a connected phone. The technology is so highly sensitive that the mask can detect even traces of airborne pathogens within ten minutes.
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How did the bioelectric mask perform in the test?
The research team tested the virus-detecting mask in a closed chamber by spraying the viral surface protein onto the mask with trace amounts of liquids and aerosols. It was found that the sensor integrated in the mask reacted with viral proteins at as little as 0.3 microliters of liquid. That’s regarding 70 to 560 times less than the amount of liquid released when you sneeze, which is also much less than when you cough or speak.2
Use in everyday life
“Our mask would work very well in poorly ventilated spaces, e.g. B. in elevators or closed rooms where the risk of infection is high,” Fang explained possible areas of application for the new type of mask that can detect viruses. It is also easy to modify and adapt in case a new respiratory virus emerges in the future. Then they are also suitable for recognizing the new pathogen.
The team from Shanghai is now working on further optimizing the mask. The goal: to increase the sensitivity of the sensor and reduce the time it takes for viruses to be detected and warned – to less than ten minutes.
