Harvard And Massachusetts Cooperate In Developing New Respirators To Detect New Crown Virus

Beijing time 14, according to US media reports, researchers from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are working together to develop a mask to detect whether the wearer is infected with a new crown virus.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher Jim Collins (Jim Collins) told the media that researchers are adjusting the sensors they developed in 2014 to detect Ebola virus in order to cope with the new crown virus pandemic.

Researchers from two universities published their research in 2016, when they adjusted the technology to deal with the virus.

It is said that when the wearer breathes, coughs or sneezes, if he has been infected with a new crown virus, then the mask will be emitting a fluorescent signal.

Collins said the project is still at a very early stage, but the result is hopeful. They hope to prove that the concept is feasible in the next few weeks.

The team is testing the ability of sensors to detect viruses with very few saliva samples. Researchers are also testing the installation of sensors in masks and developing a module that can connect to other over-the-counter masks.

The virus identification technology has been proven to be used in other viruses, including SARS, measles, influenza, hepatitis C and West Nile virus.

Collins said that with the lifting of the epidemic restrictions, such masks may be used to diagnose new crown virus patients and to screen in the field of public transport.

He said: "when we open our borders, you can imagine that when we pass the security check, when we wait to get on the plane, it will be used for the airport. You or I can use it on the way to and from work. The hospital can use it when patients come in or wait in the waiting room as a pre screening for who is infected. "

Collins said the goal of the lab is to start producing this mask before the end of summer and distribute it to the public.