A proposed future society. Credit: Tohoku University
Portable and wearable sensors will be placed in the future to detect viruses and bacteria in the surrounding environment. But we are not there yet. Scientists at Tohku University have been studying materials for decades that can convert a mechanical into electrical or magnetic energy, and so on. Together with colleagues, they published a review in the journal Advanced Materials about recent attempts to use these materials to create functional biosensors.
“There hasn’t been much progress in recent years in research to improve the performance of virus sensors,” says Fumio Narita, a materials engineer at Tohoku University. “The purpose of our review is to help young researchers and graduate students understand the latest developments to guide their future work in improving virus sensor sensitivity.”
Piezoelectric materials convert mechanical into electrical energy. Antibodies that come in contact with specific viruses can be placed on electrodes contained in the piezoelectric material. When the target virus comes in contact with antibodies, it causes an increase in mass which reduces the frequency of electric current advancing through the material, signaling its presence. Such sensors are being tested to detect a number of viruses, including cervical-cancer-causing human papilloma virus, HIV, influenza A, Ebola and hepatitis B.
The magnetostrictive material converts the mechanical into magnetic energy radiation and vice versa. Bacterial infections such as typhoid and swine fever have been investigated for sensitization and detection. Bacillus anthracis. Although it is rare, people can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Symptoms begin between one day and two months after infection. “Class =” glossarilink “> anthrax
Spore probing antibodies are fixed on a biosensor chip placed on a magnet et strict material and then a magnetic field is applied. If the targeted antigen interacts with the antibodies, it adds a large amount to the material, leading to a magnetic flux change that can be detected using the sensing ‘pick-up coil’.Narita says the development of artificial intelligence and simulation studies could help detect more sensitive piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials to detect viruses and other pathogens. Future materials can be coilless, wireless and soft, making it possible to incorporate them into textiles and buildings.
Scientists are also investigating how to use this and similar materials SARS-CoV-2, Which causes the virus COVID-19, In the air. Such sensors can be incorporated into underground transport ventilation systems, for example, to monitor the spread of the virus in real time. Wearable sensors can take people away from the environment with the virus.
“Scientists still need to develop more effective and reliable sensors for high sensitivity and virus detection. Accuracy, Smaller in size and weight and better yet affordable, they can be used in a home application or smart wear, “says Narita. With that will become reality. “
Reference: “Review of Piezoelectric and Magnetostrictive Biosensor Materials for the Detection of Kozid-19 and Other Viruses by Fumio Narita, Zhenjin Wang, Hiroki Kurita, Zhen Li, Yu Shi, Yu Jia and Constantinos Sotis” November 24, 2020 Advanced content.
DOI: 10.1002 / ADMA.202005448
