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Zephyrix: A multiplexed viral breathalyzer for rapid point-of-care diagnostics
- Program: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Course: EN.540.314 ChemBE Product Design
- Year: 2025
Project Description:
We have designed a breathalyzer device for rapid capture and detection of > 6 unique viruses. Users unwrap a single-use cartridge and insert into the electronic device. Users then blow into the device into a multilayer hydrogel, which hydrates to form a fluid phase and enables viral suspension simultaneously. The captured condensate is pulled down to a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) surface, which selectively and efficiently binds to viruses of interest. This binding creates electrical impedance which encodes captured viral concentration, which is reported to the user via an OLED readout of respective presence of each of the six viruses. The device has built-in control to ensure sufficient breath volume and is completely non-invasive and reagent-free. This system has utility in a medical triage setting such as urgent care/ER facilities as well as nursing homes and chemotherapy centers, where rapid, cheap testing is necessary.
Project Photo:
Engineering schematic of breathalyzer capture and readout