Home diagnostic test utilizes coffee-like rings to expedite identification of severe diseases more quickly
The coffee ring effect, a phenomenon commonly observed when spilled coffee, wine, or tea dries, has been transformed into a powerful new at-home diagnostic test by UC Berkeley researchers. This innovative approach could make routine health screening as easy as making your morning coffee.
The test works by placing a droplet containing disease markers (e.g., proteins from a nasal or cheek swab) onto a membrane. As the droplet dries, the coffee ring effect concentrates these disease biomarkers at the edge. Then, a second droplet with specially engineered plasmonic nanoparticles is added, which bind to the biomarkers. The aggregation of nanoparticles at the ring alters how light interacts with the membrane, a change detectable by the naked eye or through an AI-powered smartphone app.
This approach amplifies the concentration of disease markers, making detection more sensitive—up to 100 times more than many existing rapid tests—and allows results in as little as twelve minutes. It has been successfully applied to detect illnesses such as COVID-19, prostate cancer, and sepsis.
The at-home test kit prototype includes a 3D-printed guide, a syringe, and a compact heater for quick results. In some cases, positive results can be seen with the naked eye, while others may require verification using the smartphone app.
The coffee ring effect occurs because water evaporates faster at the thinner edges of a droplet, causing liquid from the center to flow outward, carrying suspended particles with it. Researchers have harnessed this natural phenomenon to create a test that brings hospital-level disease detection right to your home.
This fusion of fluid dynamics and nanotechnology represents a promising advance in accessible medical diagnostics. With this test, you can check for diseases like COVID-19 and sepsis without scheduling lab visits or waiting for results. The test could transform regular health screening, with no lab visit required.
The idea for the test began with Kamyar Behrouzi, a former Ph.D. student at UC Berkeley, while developing a COVID-19 biosensor in 2020. When certain disease biomarkers are present, light-reactive nanoparticles light up when exposed to light, making the test results easily visible.
In summary, the coffee ring effect causes outward flow in drying droplets, concentrating particles at the edges. Researchers use this to concentrate disease markers for easier detection. Plasmonic nanoparticles bind to these markers, changing optical properties for detection. The test is rapid, highly sensitive, and suitable for reliable at-home use.
- The fusion of technology in the form of plasmonic nanoparticles and science, particularly the coffee ring effect, is revolutionizing health-and-wellness, offering a rapid and sensitive at-home diagnostic test for disorders such as COVID-19 and sepsis.
- Political implications may arise from this advancement in technology, as simplified healthcare screening through fitness-and-exercise routines, such as making morning coffee, could potentially democratize healthcare access, which has traditionally been bound by politics.
- The science behind this device, driven by research in fluid dynamics and nanotechnology, promises to transform the domain of health, empowering individuals with tools for regular and convenient disease detection, previously reserved for professional health settings.