A revolutionary new system capable of detecting COVID-19 particles in the air is being tested in the Northeast.
Its developers say it could help provide an early warning of the spread of COVID-19[female[feminine or other viruses, allowing a faster response to potential epidemics.
Two units, which are roughly the size of an office printer, are now located at Teesside International Airport and a primary school.
The machines suck in air and convert it into a liquid that can then be analyzed to identify airborne pathogens using DNA sequencing.
The units operate automatically and provide real-time results without the presence of a scientist or engineer, or without samples being sent to a lab.
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The company behind the system is Kromek, based in Sedgefield. This is a new application for their analyzers which were originally developed to provide protection against terrorist threats to the US security market by scanning for explosives or toxic gases.
Dr Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “Our system can augment the government’s testing and traceability system by allowing early identification of potential exposure to the virus while promoting the safe return of visitors to areas. public spaces such as transit, retail stores, and entertainment venues. .
“We also believe that continuous surveillance with our system, which can test a wide range of viruses as well as COVID-19 mutations, has significant potential to protect against the outbreak of pandemics in the future. “
Teesside Mayor Ben Houchen said the system could have a big influence in helping reopen the skies for travel, providing a much-needed boost to an industry decimated by the pandemic.
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-06-23 16:24:00