Rapid airborne viral sensor and methods related thereto
AssigneeTexas Tech University System
InventorsGerardine G. Botte, Ashwin Ramanujam
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Abstract
The present invention provides for a device and method for the rapid detection (within seconds) of viruses and virions (proteins and nucleic acids) found in novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and other viruses through testing of an air sample. The device can be used at front line, hospitals, clinical laboratories, airports, groceries, homes, and the like. The device can be used as a single probe for single use or home use for fast detection of multiple samples simultaneously. The present invention would facilitate multiple testing at times of pandemics caused by airborne viruses when a large number of samples have to be tested in short periods of time.
Claims25
A sensor for detecting an airborne virus comprising:
- (a) an apparatus comprising:
- (i) an air purification and control module;
- (ii) a first chamber for containing an air sample impinged by an electrolyte solution;
- (iii) a sensor comprising a sensor tip;
- and
- (iv) a second chamber for containing a reference solution;
- and
- (b) wherein the sensor tip comprising:
- (i) a working electrode, wherein the working electrode comprises
- (A) a conductive material, wherein the conductive material is resistant to corrosion,
- (B) a support, and
- (C) a catalyst;
- (ii) a counter electrode comprising an electrocatalyst, wherein the counter electrode is operably connected to the working electrode, the sensor tip when introduced to an air sample impinged by an electrolyte, is operable for detecting change in current utilizing the working electrode and the counter electrode, and the sensor tip is operable for detecting the virus by the change in current.
A method for detecting a virus with a sensor tip, the method comprising:
- (a) selecting a sensor tip, wherein the sensor tip comprises
- (i) a working electrode, wherein the working electrode comprises a conductive material,
- (ii) a counter electrode, wherein the counter electrode comprises an electrocatalyst, and
- (iii) a reference electrode, wherein the working electrode is operably connected to the counter electrode and the reference electrode;
- (b) creating a catalyst locally on the sensor tip, wherein
- (i) the catalyst is created at a particular voltage, and
- (ii) the particular voltage corresponds to the working electrode and the reference electrode;
- (c) collecting an air sample and impinging the collected air sample with an electrolyte solution;
- (d) inserting the sensor tip into the collected air sample impinged with the electrolyte solution;
- (e) applying a cell voltage between the working electrode and the reference electrode;
- (f) calibrating a change in current between a reference sample;
- wherein
- (i) the reference sample comprises a virus-free sample, and
- (ii) the change in current is calibrated as a function of concentration of the virus present in the air sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.