Carnegie Mellon University develops a 3D printed sensor that recognizes coronavirus in 10 seconds

China3D printingNet September 29, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)3D printingA sensor that can recognize Covid-19 antibodies in about 10 seconds. The technology is produced using an additive manufacturing system supplier Optomec’s patented aerosol jet printing (AJP) process, which allows clinicians to immediately and accurately detect whether someone has been infected with the coronavirus.


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Sensor team” alt=”Rahul Panat, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at CMU, led the development
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The sensor team” width=”620″ height=”367″ />

Rahul Panat, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at CMU, led the development3D printingThe team of sensors.

He said: “When we realized that we could adapt our work to the Covid-19 test, my research team was studying3D printingA high-performance sensor to detect dopamine in the brain. We changed our research direction and applied our expertise to this devastating pandemic. The Aerosol Jet process is essential for the production of high-sensitivity and high-speed sensors. “


Optomec’s Aerosol Jet process

Although the AJP process has been commercialized by Optomec, it was originally created in the late 1990s by the Mesoscale Integrated Conformal Electronics (MICE) project funded by DARPA. The project studied manufacturing processes that can deposit multiple materials on almost any substrate.

In its current form, AJP is able to produce materials with features up to 10 microns, which have high-precision conductive and non-conductive properties. This process uses small ink-like droplets that can adhere to ready-made surfaces to form structures. Some of AJP’s applications include electronics, aerospace, medical equipment manufacturing, sensors, etc.
Many companies have used Optomec’s AJP technology to manufacture high-resolution electronic circuits and equipment, such as strain sensors, wireless Bluetooth transceivers, and small digital-to-analog converter chips.According to China3D printingNetwork understanding,
At the end of last year, Optomec announced the delivery of its 500th unit3D printingMachines, of which about 300 are made up of the AJP system.



The size of the device is about a quarter of a dollar. The picture comes from the School of Engineering of Carnegie Mellon University.

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To create the sensor, the researchers used AJP to accurately and quickly print ink droplets containing nanoparticles to produce tiny gold electrode pillars, which were then coated with reduced graphene oxide. This rough coating allows Covid antibodies to bind to the electrodes.

due to3D printingWith the specific geometry and surface characteristics of the structure, clinicians can immediately and accurately detect Covid-19 antibodies from a small drop of blood. Even if the concentration is very low, two virus antibodies can be identified through the electrochemical reaction detected by the sensor in the handheld microfluidic device. The result is then sent to the smartphone immediately, which can be used within 10-15 seconds. Researchers also studied how the platform, in addition to its antibodies, can also facilitate virus detection when the virus is active.

This low-cost sensor is very small and has a provisional patent. The device can also be cleaned very quickly, allowing multiple consecutive readings and ultimately speeding up the testing process.

China3D printingOnline reviews:This test can not only play a key role in understanding the pathway and concentration of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it can also potentially help detect other viruses, such as Zika, Ebola, and HIV.

(Editor in charge: admin)