Posted on Jul 13, 2023
Wash U scientists build cyclone-fueled coronavirus detection machine
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Scientists in St. Louis have developed a device they say can detect coronavirus particles in the air within minutes.
Engineers and neurologists at Washington University developed the microwave-size machine during the pandemic. A study released this week in the journal Nature Communications shows the monitor works as well or better than existing detectors, and unlike other machines that detect pathogens, the device does not require an off-site lab test.
“In real-time virus sampling, one of the major challenges is collecting these low concentrations of airborne viruses,” said Joseph Puthussery, a postdoctoral research associate who helped develop the machine. “We need a device to collect this really low concentration of virus from the air and into a really concentrated solution.”
The key to detecting the particles is sucking a lot of air into the device quickly, he said. The machine contains a tornado-shaped vortex inside the box, which concentrates particles into a solution that is read by an electrode sensor. When it detects the coronavirus, the machine lights up.
Engineers and neurologists at Washington University developed the microwave-size machine during the pandemic. A study released this week in the journal Nature Communications shows the monitor works as well or better than existing detectors, and unlike other machines that detect pathogens, the device does not require an off-site lab test.
“In real-time virus sampling, one of the major challenges is collecting these low concentrations of airborne viruses,” said Joseph Puthussery, a postdoctoral research associate who helped develop the machine. “We need a device to collect this really low concentration of virus from the air and into a really concentrated solution.”
The key to detecting the particles is sucking a lot of air into the device quickly, he said. The machine contains a tornado-shaped vortex inside the box, which concentrates particles into a solution that is read by an electrode sensor. When it detects the coronavirus, the machine lights up.
Wash U scientists build cyclone-fueled coronavirus detection machine
Posted from news.stlpublicradio.org
Science
Medical
Health
St. Louis
Posted 10 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."“The more air volume it samples, the better detection of airborne viruses. The nanobody-based biosensor also can boost the detection efficiency of viruses,” he said, adding that it could become an essential tool to detect aerosol- or droplet-transmitted viruses.
The machine could detect other pathogens, fungi and bacteria by switching out different electrode sensors, Cirrito said.
“We’re thinking, what are the pathogens that make people sick? Most times, it’s influenza, RSV, which are probably at the top of our list,” he said. “As long as there's a protein on the surface, we have the opportunity to potentially be able to detect it with this kind of technology.”
The scientists said they’re looking to produce the machines, which could cost around $1,000, for commercial use in schools, office buildings and hospitals."
..."“The more air volume it samples, the better detection of airborne viruses. The nanobody-based biosensor also can boost the detection efficiency of viruses,” he said, adding that it could become an essential tool to detect aerosol- or droplet-transmitted viruses.
The machine could detect other pathogens, fungi and bacteria by switching out different electrode sensors, Cirrito said.
“We’re thinking, what are the pathogens that make people sick? Most times, it’s influenza, RSV, which are probably at the top of our list,” he said. “As long as there's a protein on the surface, we have the opportunity to potentially be able to detect it with this kind of technology.”
The scientists said they’re looking to produce the machines, which could cost around $1,000, for commercial use in schools, office buildings and hospitals."
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