Academics from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have collaborated to create a sensor-laden face mask capable of identifying COVID-19 instances in as little as 90 minutes.
Researchers at MIT have created a face mask that can identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The sensors are built from freeze-dried cellular machinery that was previously employed in paper diagnostics for viruses like Ebola and Zika. The team has applied for a patent on the technique and claims to have garnered interest from a number of businesses. “We anticipate this technology enabling next-generation wearable biosensors for first responders, health care professionals, and military people,” James Collins stated.
When exposed to an infected patient, MIT researchers designed a garment with sensors that can detect changes in the body’s immune system. The technology is also expected to be used in smart clothing such as lab coats. The team experimented with several textiles to see which would be most successful in facilitating the test in this format. They discovered that polyester and other synthetic fibres were the optimum material mix.
