Airborne Virus Detector

A new system that can detect pathogens in ambient air could change the way we combat a variety of viruses including Covid-19. Known as Poppy, the sampling device looks somewhat like a smoke detector. It uses static electricity to pull viruses from the air and collects them on a test strip. Once a day, the strips are sent to a lab for analysis using LAMP testing – a DNA amplification method that can provide highly accurate results on more than 1,000 different viruses, bacteria, molds and pests in about 30 minutes. The results are delivered via a customized online dashboard.

An important aspect of the system is the ability to position multiple units within a space to monitor the actual flow of pathogens. In order to do this, Poppy periodically sends out its own unique DNA barcoded agent that is nebulized into droplets the same size as those generated by human breath. These agents act as a control to ensure that the system is sampling all of the air and enables it to generate a map of indoor airflow which can be used to pinpoint stagnant areas and quantify how long pathogens remain in a space.

The overarching goal is faster detection and earlier intervention. This non-intrusive method bypasses issues of personal liberties associated with individual testing and also provides a measurable indicator of just how safe – or unsafe – specific public spaces may be.