Image Description: Nikalyte’s SERS flexible sensor for SARS-CoV-2 screening, utilizing gold nanoparticles on facemasks for enhanced detection of the virus’ spike protein.
Industry: Healthcare / Diagnostics / Nanotechnology
Challenge:
In collaboration with Dr. Wangcun Jia at the University of California, Irvine, on research project to develop a reliable and low-cost solution for SARS-CoV-2 screening using flexible sensors. The goal was to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus using Raman spectroscopy on facemasks, with the added challenge of achieving a high sensitivity for detection at low concentrations, especially in the presence of complex biological samples.
Image Description: (1) Cellulose substrate with printed gold nanoparticles and (2) Quartz fiber with gold nanoparticles formed using Nikalyte technology
Solution:
Nikalyte’s advanced Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technology was utilized to develop a flexible, low-cost SERS sticker that can be placed on the inside or outside of facemasks. The SERS sensor comprises gold nanoparticles deposited on a quartz fiber substrate which utilize the Raman enhancement effects of plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect trace concentrations of biomolecules.
Image Description: Electrochemical testing setup demonstrating the configuration used to evaluate Nikalyte-fabricated gold (Au) electrodes
Results:
The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins on a quartz fiber substrate with gold nanoparticles could be reliably detected with Raman spectroscopy. Our technology allowed for the reliable detection of protein concentration as low as 1:200. The low noise signal of Nikalyte’s SERS substrates enabled the detection of the virus at very low concentrations, which is crucial for early-stage screening. While the sensor demonstrated reliable detection, further optimization is required to increase sensitivity for full virus detection.
Key Findings:
- The current SERS substrates could detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein effectively at 1:200 concentration.
- Optimization of nanoparticle size is required to enhance Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for full virus detection.
- Potential integration of machine learning to automate the detection process and increase the accuracy of identifying COVID-19 infection.
Image Description: Nikalyte’s gold-enhanced SERS sensor for SARS-CoV-2 screening, detecting the virus’ spike protein on facemasks
Note: Full details of the project and results can be found in the poster here
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