Daijiworld Media Network – Guwahati

Guwahati, Jun 6: In the backdrop of a fresh Covid-19 surge with over 5,000 active cases, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have pioneered a novel, cost-effective method to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19.

The innovative technique leverages the sedimentation rate of a clay-virus-electrolyte mixture a process where the settling speed indicates virus presence and concentration. Using Bentonite clay, known for its pollutant-absorbing properties, the researchers demonstrated how virus particles bind to the negatively charged clay surfaces under controlled conditions.

Published in the journal Applied Clay Science, the study showed accurate virus detection comparable to standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and antigen tests but at a fraction of the cost and complexity.

“Imagine detecting viruses as simply as watching sand settle in water — that’s the breakthrough we’ve achieved,” said Prof T V Bharat of IIT Guwahati’s Civil Engineering Department. “This method offers a faster, affordable, and reliable alternative, crucial for pandemic response and disease monitoring.”

The team also noted potential applications for detecting other viruses like the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), which causes significant losses in poultry farming.
This advancement promises to enhance virus surveillance, especially in resource-limited settings, supporting better health outcomes during ongoing and future outbreaks.