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IRIS: A Multiplex Lateral Flow Assay Rapid Diagnostic Device for Field Use
- Program: Center for Leadership Education
- Course: EN.663.657 Innovation & Design 2
- Year: 2026
Project Description:
Project IRIS is a dual-lane multiplex lateral flow assay (LFA) designed for rapid infectious disease diagnosis in austere, resource-limited battlefield environments. Developed in partnership with NATO’s UK jHub Innovation hub, IRIS detects five high-priority pathogens — malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, and influenza A/B — from a blood or nasal swab sample in under one hour, requiring no laboratory infrastructure or external power source.
Traditional diagnostic tools fail in forward operating environments where speed and portability are critical. IRIS addresses this gap by delivering lab-quality results in a cassette format priced between $35–45, making it scalable across NATO’s 32-member alliance and deployable in the most demanding conditions.
By bridging the diagnostic void at the point of care, IRIS reduces medical evacuation rates, preserves mission readiness, and saves lives — bringing precision medicine to the front line.
Project Photo:
The project poster photo describes our mission statement, the design requirements and research behind IRIS, how the device works, and the stakeholders involved. There are several diagrams that showcase the device from a top-view, side-view, and layered architecture view.
