VAir

VAir aims to revolutionize the detection of airborne viruses with a real-time, reusable, and cost-effective technology. Our approach offers an alternative to the existing analytical aerosol testing platforms that are bulky, expensive, and require qualified personnel to interpret the results. The detection method is based on the specific interaction between viral antigens and stable antibody fragments, known as nanobodies. When immobilized on the magnetoelastic chip oscillating in the magnetic field, the nanobodies recognize and bind to the viral targets in the airflow, inducing a shift in the electromagnetic parameters proportional to the change in mass. Validated operation in both liquids and gases suggests the possibility of the detection in the ambient air, exhaled breath condensates, or biological fluids, with less effort as compared to conventional laboratory techniques. Integrating our device into the IoT/IIoT would allow anyone in the vicinity of a sensor to be alerted to viral contamination before devastating symptoms occur. Knowledge of exposure to airborne pathogens should result in improved infection control measures, better preventive care and reduced burden of respiratory viral infections, especially in healthcare and critical facilities. Our technical concept has been discussed and endorsed by the public research community, and we look forward to developing it into digital bio-threat detection solutions for the public.