SARS-CoV-2 detecting rapid metasurface-based sensor.

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biosensing
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• COVID-19 diagnosis relies on methods with varying sensitivity and speed.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath can indicate infection.
• Ethyl butanoate is a VOC found in higher concentrations in COVID-19 patients' breath.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, highly sensitive biosensor for detecting COVID-19.
• To utilize a metasurface-based slotted T-shape refractive index sensor (RIS) for ethyl butanoate detection.
• To optimize sensor structure for enhanced performance in identifying SARS-CoV-2 infection markers.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a refractive index sensor (RIS) incorporating a metasurface-based slotted T-shape perfect absorber.
• Optimized sensor structure by adjusting parameters like length, thickness, and resonator dimensions.
• Evaluated sensor performance using metrics including sensitivity, Q factor, figure of merit (FOM), and detection limit.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum sensitivity of 2500 nm/RIU.
• Obtained a Q factor of 131.06.
• Reached a figure of merit (FOM) of 131.58 RIU^-1 and a detection limit of 0.0224 RIU.

Conclusions:

• The proposed slotted T-shape RIS demonstrates high sensitivity and accuracy for detecting ethyl butanoate.
• This novel approach shows potential for rapid and non-invasive COVID-19 diagnosis.
• The optimized sensor design offers a promising tool for early SARS-CoV-2 detection in exhaled breath.