A new sensor has been developed that can detect COVID-19 and the flu within 10 seconds, potentially revolutionizing the way we screen for these viruses.

Researchers reported using a single-atom-thick nanomaterial to build a device that can simultaneously detect the presence of COVID-19 and the flu—at much lower levels and much more quickly than conventional tests for either.

The symptoms of both flu and COVID-19 overlap considerably, making it difficult to distinguish between them, notes Deji Akinwande, Ph.D., who presented the work at a recent meeting of the American Chemical Society.

The sensor works by using tiny gold particles coated with antibodies that bind to the viral proteins. When the proteins are present, they cause the gold particles to clump together, which can be detected using a simple electronic device. The whole process takes just 10 seconds and can be done using a small sample of saliva or blood.

The potential applications of this technology are vast, from screening people at airports and other public places to monitoring outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes. The sensor could also be used to quickly diagnose patients with respiratory symptoms, allowing for more targeted treatment and reducing the spread of the virus.

The researchers are now working to refine the technology and make it more affordable and accessible. They hope that the sensor could be mass-produced and made available to healthcare providers and the public in the near future.