MIT And Harvard Researchers Develop Face Masks That Can Detect COVID-19

JAKARTA - Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, United States (US) have designed an innovative face mask that can diagnose if the wearer is infected with the COVID-19 virus within 90 minutes.

Researchers have developed wearable biosensor technology that allows masks to detect the virus through the wearer's breath. The masks are embedded with tiny disposable sensors, known as Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing or SHERLOCK, which can also detect the presence of viruses and other infections, according to the research paper.

"We have demonstrated freezing of various synthetic biological sensors to detect viral or bacterial nucleic acids, as well as toxic chemicals, including neurotoxins," said James Collins, professor of medical engineering and science at the MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science. July 6th.

"We envision this platform being able to activate next-generation wearable biosensors for first responders, health care personnel and military personnel," he added.

Users can activate the face mask sensor using the button when they are ready to test. which releases water that has accumulated around the sensor. Once hydrated, they check the user's breath droplets and check for the presence of COVID-19 and other viruses.

Results can be achieved in 90 minutes at the same level of accuracy as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. To ensure the privacy of user data, the results are only shown on the back of the mask.

"We've basically simplified the work of the diagnostic lab, becoming a tiny synthetic biology-based sensor that works with any face mask. Combining the high accuracy of PCR testing with the speed and low cost of antigen testing," said Peter Nguyen, a research scientist at Harvard University's Wyss Institute. .

The sensors could also be embedded into normal clothing such as lab coats, potentially offering a new way to monitor healthcare workers' exposure to various types of infection.

"In addition to face masks, our programmable biosensors can be integrated into other clothing to provide on-the-go detection of harmful substances including viruses, bacteria, toxins and chemicals," Nguyen added.

The sensor works on a scientific mechanism previously developed by the research team, for use in paper diagnostics for viruses such as Ebola and Zika. The entire project was carried out under strict quarantine or social distancing, starting in May last year.

"It's definitely different from the lab infrastructure we're used to working with, but everything that's done has helped us ensure the sensors will work in real-world pandemic conditions," explains Luis Soenksen, also of Harvard University's Wyss Institute.