By: Kate Balser
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded $699,604 to the University of Arkansas to improve a wireless COVID-19 sensor.
The small, low-cost detection device is anticipated to give immediate and accurate results as well as determine whether the coronavirus variant is infectious or not.
The principal investigator for the device, Ryan Tian, is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Tian and his team were awarded the grant by NIST from an application from the RAPID Manufacturing Institute to improve the detection device by upgrading its materials.
Tian’s prototype contains graphene oxide, which is a cheaper alternative to graphene. By switching to the higher-quality graphene produced by Southwest Regional Institute, the device is expected to have better accuracy, reliability, sensitivity, and detection speed.