Since the very inception of COVID-19, scientists and doctors have devised various methods to detect viruses, enabled tests, protection masks for face.
It wasn’t long since the technology came into place with its wonderful and sustainable ideas to offer us more alternatives. Since the pandemic began, masks were considered the most important to help the prevention of coronavirus.
Pandemic has made two things very vital, wearing a mask and getting tested for coronavirus.
Researchers at MIT– Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University were indulging in some technology which can help Covid detection easier. The researchers there found and developed a face mask can detect COVID-19 within 90 minutes. Fascinating, isn’t it?
These face masks are made with tiny sensors that are disposable as well which can detect the virus. In a new study it was found that these sensors can be used in lab coats as well and other clothing which can also enable us to take a check on the healthcare workers.
The mask is designed for user privacy as well. Only the person wearing it can see the results and data, which is a very good thing. The person wears the mask and breathes for 15-20 minutes and after pressing a button their Covid tests are displayed on a readable strip. It is so user friendly and swift. The masks were created of polyester and many other synthetic fibres.
The new wearable sensors and diagnostic face mask are based on technology that Collins began developing several years ago. In 2014, he showed that proteins and nucleic acids needed to create synthetic gene networks that react to specific target molecules could be embedded into paper, and he used this approach to create paper diagnostics for the Ebola and Zika viruses.
In work with Feng Zhang’s lab in 2017, Collins developed another cell-free sensor system, known as SHERLOCK, which is based on CRISPR enzymes and allows highly sensitive detection of nucleic acids. [Source- The Indian Education Diary]
One other feature about this mask is they have a small reservoir of water which is released at a button press when the person is taking the test hydrating the freeze-dried components of SARS-CoV-2. This kind of technology is also used to detect Ebola and Zika virus.
The technology is growing at a much higher rate. Last year we saw robots helping during Covid Times in Kerela and Bengaluru. The test is really sensitive like the PCR ones but also very swift.
There has been a patent by the researchers to claim, thus technology and also so that they can start developing more and more sensors.
This could help people to prepare themselves for the Covid battle ahead. It is a highly nuanced, sustainable and creative idea which is very advanced technologically and is gathering a lot of investors. The only thing we can hope for is to work smoothly and glitch free.
