The technology of Harvard and MIT researchers has proven to detect viruses, such as SARS, Ebola, Zika, and others. This technology has been demonstrated to work on paper, plastic, quartz, and cloth. The sensors are made up of genetic material that binds to a virus. The sensors need moisture and the virus’s genetic sequence in order to be activated. The researchers from MIT and Harvard are now adjusting the sensors to address COVID-19. 

  
Photo Source: Business Insider Malaysia

 The research team sets the sensors into the face masks and the mask would produce a fluorescent signal when a person with the coronavirus breaths, coughs or sneezes. The research team is investigating the ability of the sensors to detect the virus with a small saliva sample. This mask could possibly be used for screening in areas of mass transit and to identify COVID-19 patients. 

Photo Source: Business Insider Malaysia

Sources: Business Insider Malaysia

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