ZDNet: Smartphone can provide simple COVID-19 test

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science assistant professor Aashish Priye has been developing an ultra-portable test for infectious diseases such as coronavirus.

According to ZDNet, he uses a heating plate, light-emitting diode and smartphone to create a test for coronavirus that can detect the virus in less than an hour. The test also identifies how much virus is present in the sample using the smartphone camera.

Priye, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, tells ZDnet: "We are exploring nontraditional image analysis techniques to improve the detection capabilities of consumer smartphones in order to perform virus detection using something extremely powerful but at the same time widely accessible to most people."

Priye has been working on lab-on-a-chip technology using smartphones for several years. Previously, he developed a smartphone diagnostic device for rapid detection of Zika virus, dengue and chikungunya.

His work earned a 2017 award for outstanding technology development from the Federal Laboratory Consortium.

University of Cincinnati researchers have dedicated their time and skill to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic from multiple angles. Here are just a few examples:

• UC takes part in clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine
• Conquering COVID-19
• By third day, most with COVID-19 lose sense of smell
• Residents in some Ohio counties face greater risk from coronavirus
  
• UC grad develops ventilator for COVID-19 patients
• UC researchers develop heatable, reusable face mask
• UC helps create world's biggest supercomputer to study COVID-19