Parnad Basu, Amity University Kolkata
Scientists never stop researching something until they can find effective and affordable methods to fight the problems. Biosensors are devices that are used to detect the presence or concentration of an analyte. Scientists have been trying to use biosensor to detect viruses and bacteria. Biosensors can be of several types, such as optical, piezoelectric, and electrochemical. It mainly has three parts, a recognizer (to detect analytes), a signal transducer, and a reader. Now, scientists are thinking of ways to put these biosensors into use by detecting SARS-CoV-2 with help of them.
To find more, scientists of Tohoku University studied piezoelectric and magnetostrictive (a material that can convert energy between magnetic and elastic states) materials as potential biosensor. On one hand, piezoelectric material converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, on the other hand, magnetostrictive materials are known to convert mechanical energy into magnetic energy. Both of these materials can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the environment. Piezoelectric material decreases the frequency of electric current moving through itself while increasing the mass. This helps in detecting the target viruses. In the case of magnetostrictive materials, they change the magnetic flux to detect the bacteria.
While this method seems flawless, it is still under investigation. Scientists believe that they should develop a product that can be effective, reliable, lesser in size and weight for daily and efficient use. If a product can be developed with the help of materials, electrical, electronics, computer science researchers, it can be very useful and helpful. The sensor can be used in home appliances, clothing, underground transport ventilation systems. This will allow us to monitor the virus spread in real-time which can help us avoid getting into those places with higher virus or bacteria concentration. Since it is not available yet, further studies are to be done.
Also read: Food Inhibiting Enzyme That Causes COVID Replication
Reference:- A Review of Piezoelectric and Magnetostrictive Biosensor Materials for Detection of COVID‐19 and Other Viruses Fumio Narita et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202005448
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