MIT and Harvard researchers develop face mask that detects Covid-19 in 90 minutes

To ensure the users’ privacy, the results are displayed only on the rear of the mask

MIT and Harvard scientists have designed a prototype face mask that can diagnose the person wearing the mask with Covid-19 within about 90 minutes. Courtesy MIT News Office

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Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have designed an innovative face mask that can diagnose if the wearer is infected with the Covid-19 virus within 90 minutes.

Researchers have developed a wearable biosensor technology that allows the mask to detect the virus through the wearer’s breath. The masks are embedded with tiny, disposable sensors – known as Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing, or SHERLOCK – that can also detect the presence of other viruses and infections, according to the research paper.

“We have demonstrated that we can freeze-dry a broad range of synthetic biology sensors to detect viral or bacterial nucleic acids, as well as toxic chemicals, including nerve toxins,” James Collins, professor of medical engineering and science at MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, said.

“We envision that this platform could enable next-generation wearable biosensors for first responders, health care personnel and military personnel,” he added.

Users can activate face mask sensors using a button when they are ready to perform the test, which releases water stockpiled around the sensors. Once hydrated, they examine the users’ breath droplets and check for the presence of Covid-19 and other viruses.

Results can be achieved within 90 minutes at the same accuracy levels as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. To ensure the privacy of users’ data, results are only displayed on the rear of the mask.

“We have essentially shrunk an entire diagnostic laboratory down into a small, synthetic biology-based sensor that works with any face mask ... and combines the high accuracy of PCR tests with the speed and low cost of antigen tests,” said Peter Nguyen, a research scientist at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute.

The sensors could also be embedded into normal clothes such as laboratory coats, potentially offering a novel way to monitor health care workers’ exposure to various types of infections.

“In addition to face masks, our programmable biosensors can be integrated into other garments to provide on-the-go detection of dangerous substances including viruses, bacteria, toxins and chemical agents,” added Mr Nguyen.

The sensors work on a scientific mechanism that the research team had previously developed for use in paper diagnostics for viruses such as Ebola and Zika. The entire project was carried out under quarantine or strict social distancing, starting from May last year.

“It was definitely different from the usual lab infrastructure we are used to working under, but everything we did has helped us ensure that the sensors would work in real-world pandemic conditions,” said Luis Soenksen, a post-doctoral fellow at the Wyss Institute.