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People infected with COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza emit tiny respiratory pathogens that cause those viruses after sneezing, coughing, or talking. Shanghai Tongji University scientists recently developed a wireless bioelectric face mask capable of detecting respiratory viruses, such as the coronavirus and influenza, lingering in the air. Within the next 10 minutes, a wearer’s smartphone informs them if pathogens are nearby in their surroundings.
“Previous research has shown face mask wearing can reduce the risk of spreading and contracting the disease. So, we wanted to create a mask that can detect the presence of virus in the air and alert the wearer,” says Yin Fang, the study’s corresponding author and a material scientist at Shanghai Tongji University.
The mask consists of an ion-gated transistor (IGT) with poly(2,3-dihydrothieno-1,4-dioxin)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as channel materials, breath valve, and printed circuit board. The PIL-IGT has a rhombohedral PVA-IL ion gel patterned on the electrodes. It’s also made of a thin and flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate for bendability. Additionally, the removable breathe valve encapsulates the PIL-IGT detection ports while preventing dust penetration and damage to the mask.
The researchers performed experiments on their mask in an enclosed chamber, spraying it with aerosols and the viral surface protein containing trace-level liquid. The small sensor detected 0.3 microlitres of liquid that contained viral proteins. That’s approximately 70 to 560 times less than the liquid volume created from a single sneeze and significantly less than the volume produced by talking or coughing.
The sensor was designed with aptamers, a synthetic molecule that identifies pathogens’ unique properties. So the team's proof-of-concept design features three aptamers in their modified multi-channel sensor. These types identify surface proteins on H1N1, H5N1, and SARS-CoV-2.
After the aptamers bind to those proteins, the integrated ion-gated transistor boosts the signal, notifying the wearers through their mobile devices. The ultra-sensitive IGT allows the mask to detect tiny traces of pathogens within 10 minutes of conversation.
“Our mask would work really well in spaces with poor ventilation, such as elevators or enclosed rooms, where the risk of getting infected is high,” Fang explains. The team can modify the sensor’s design to detect pathogens of a new respiratory virus.
The team wants to shorten the mask’s detection time and make it more sensitive by optimizing the polymers and transistors. Additionally, they are developing wearables for different health conditions, such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases. “Currently, doctors have been relying heavily on their experiences in diagnosing and treating diseases, Fang notes. "But with richer data collected by wearable devices, disease diagnosis and treatment can become more precise."
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