Short- and long-term photonics solutions for COVID-19
Short- and long-term photonics solutions for COVID-19 lead image
COVID-19 has rapidly spread and infected over a million people worldwide. Identifying ways to combat this pandemic is at the forefront of much current scientific research. Soler et al. have written a review on photonics solutions for the pandemic, focusing on a collection of short term and long terms solutions.
The authors explained a key short-term advancement has been the improvement of personal protection equipment (PPE) and rapid diagnostics, which, when combined together, can reduce the spread of the coronavirus. More specifically, the development of semi-autonomous, radiation-based disinfection systems and high throughput reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) diagnostic systems are leading photonics solutions to combating COVID-19.
“Both systems integrate robotics with photonic technologies and demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary research to advance healthcare,” said author Andrea Armani.
According to the researchers, UltraViolet-c (UV-C) disinfecting techniques have proven excellent for use on PPE commonly used by healthcare workers. The researchers discuss the benefits and limitations of the different types of UV-C sources, including cost, emission intensity, and lifetime.
Autonomous radiation-based systems are ideal for disinfecting surfaces and areas more frequently and regularly, but they must be balanced with safety considerations concerning the effect of the UV-C radiation on animals and humans.
By combining optical sensors with machine learning based artificial intelligence, the authors believe accuracy of diagnostic tests can be improved and allow for quicker treatment decisions.
“Nearly all of the technologies discussed will continue to have applications well-beyond the current pandemic,” said Armani. “For example, high throughput RT-qPCR systems will greatly reduce diagnostic costs for a range of diseases, and improved disinfection methods will reduce the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria.”
Source: “Engineering photonics solutions for COVID-19,” by Maria Soler, Alexis Scholtz, Rene Zeto, and Andrea M. Armani, APL Photonics (2020). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0021270 .
