Current Affairs
Daily Bits

Graphene test to detect coronavirus

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    22nd Jun, 2021

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago IUIC) used graphene to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory experiments.

Context

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago IUIC) used graphene to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory experiments.

  • Their findings were published in the American Chemical Society’s journal ACS Nano.

About the graphene test

  • Researchers combined highly thin sheets of graphene.
  • These sheets had an antibody designed to target the spike protein on the coronavirus
  • Then the atomic-level vibrations of these graphene sheets were observed after being exposed to Covid-positive and Covid-negative samples in artificial saliva.
  • It is a rapid technique.
  • These sheets were also tested in the presence of other coronaviruses, like MERS-CoV.
  • A difference was observed during the vibrations of the antibody-coupled graphene sheets when they were treated with a Covid-positive sample.
  • No change was observed when treated with a Covid-negative sample or with other coronaviruses.
  • Vibrational changes, measured with a device called a Raman spectrometer.

Verifying, please be patient.

X