A cost-effective label-free biosensor for rapid detection of multiple viral respiratory infections base on liquid crystals: Fabrication and modeling.

The high transmission rate and incurability of recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection require an accurate and fast detection approach for its efficient prevention. In an attempt to find a novel sensitive and simple optical diagnostic technique which enables on-spot testing, here we developed label-free biosensors based on E7 nematic liquid crystals (LCs) for specific detection of HSV DNA. For this purpose, homeotropically oriented LCs as smart materials are spread on the textile grid to make their both upper and lower surfaces be in contact with ambient air.

Rapid and Label-Free Methanol Identification in Alcoholic Beverages Utilizing a Textile Grid Impregnated with Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystals.

Methanol contamination of alcoholic drinks can lead to severe health problems for human beings including poisoning, headache, blindness, and even death. Therefore, having access to a simple and inexpensive way for monitoring beverages is vital. Herein, a portable, low cost, and easy to use sensor is fabricated based on the exploitation of chiral nematic liquid crystals (CLCs) and a textile grid for detection of methanol in two distinct alcoholic beverages: red wine and vodka.

Rapid, label-free and low-cost diagnostic kit for COVID-19 based on liquid crystals and machine learning.

We report a label-free method for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in nasopharyngeal swab samples without purification steps and multiplication of the target which simplifies and expedites the analysis process. The kit consists of a textile grid on which liquid crystals (LC) are deposited and the grid is placed in a crossed polarized microscopy. The swab samples are subsequently placed on the LCs.