Researchers develop sensor for faster, more accurate COVID-19 tests

The COVID-19 sensor was developed at the University and could change the way virus testing is done.

The new sensor, which requires no sample preparation and minimal operator expertise, offers a strong advantage over existing testing methods, especially for population-wide testing.

Ishan Barman, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, and David Gracias, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, said that the technique is as simple as putting a drop of saliva on a device. The sensor could eventually be used in Wearable Devices.

The new technology addresses the limitations of the two most widely used types of COVID-19 tests, according to Barman.

The results of a PCR test can take hours or even days to process in a laboratory. Rapid tests that look for the existence of antigens are less successful at detecting early infections and can lead to incorrect results.

The sensor is as convenient as a rapid test. The sensor was able to detect the disease in saliva samples with 98% accuracy. The sensor was able to quickly determine the presence of H1N1 and other viruses.

The sensor is based on machine learning. It can be used for mass testing on a variety of surfaces.

The large-area, flexible field enhancing metal insulator antenna (FEMIA) array developed by the Gracias lab is the key to the method. The saliva sample is placed on the material and analyzed using surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy, which uses laser light to examine how the examined specimen vibrates. Even if only small traces exist in the sample, the system can quickly detect the presence of a virus. The use of machine learning to detect very subtle signatures in the data that allow researchers to determine the presence and concentration of the virus is one of the major innovations of the system.

A single platform that can test for a wide range of viruses with enhanced sensitivity and specificity is what lead author Debadrita Paria said.

The material can be placed on a variety of surfaces.

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He says the sensor could be used with a hand-held testing device for fast screenings at crowded places.

Barman said that the platform can be used to differentiate between different types of viruses. This is a major issue that cannot be easily addressed by current rapid tests.

The team is working to develop and test the technology with patient samples. The team is pursuing license and commercialization opportunities after applying for patents on the intellectual property associated with it.

Kam Sang (Mark) Kwok, a graduate student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is one of the authors.

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