Researchers develop face mask sticker capable of detecting COVID-19 in droplets

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KTRK) – Researchers at UC San Diego’s School of Engineering are working on a potential change in the fight against COVID-19. Researchers are studying a new type of test that could detect the virus on your face mask.

The test can be worn as a sticker on your mask. The sticker includes a little dye and works as a home pregnancy test.

When someone wears the sticker on the mask throughout the day, it collects droplets. After a few hours, it can detect the COVID-19 molecules in your breath.

At the end of the day, you can puncture the dye pack, and if the sticker changes color, it means you may have been exposed to the virus.

The test uses a technique called “colorimetric detection” to change colors, depending on the results. The best part, it’s as easy to use as a home pregnancy test.

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“At the end of the day you click on a little blister pack and if it changes color, that means you may have been exposed,” said Jesse Jokerst, associate professor of engineering at UC San Diego. . “Being able to have a simple color change indicating a risk, I think that could have a really profound impact on the trajectory of the pandemic.”

Jokerst pointed out that the test is similar to a smoke alarm. It won’t tell you exactly what’s going on, but it serves as a fair warning that you need to take extra steps for your safety.

Researchers in San Diego just received $ 1.3 million to test the accuracy of the stickers from the National Institutes of Health.

Jokerst says it only costs a few cents per test to do and the sticker can be affixed to any type of mask. He said even after the pandemic is over, the tests could be used to assess the risk of diseases like SARS and MERS.

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