A new medical diagnostic test developed at the University of California Berkeley is drawing attention for its use of a simple physical phenomenon often observed in daily life. The innovation was created by Kamyar Behrouzi, a former engineering PhD candidate at UC Berkeley, who was inspired by the “coffee-ring effect”—the pattern left behind when spilled coffee dries and particles collect along the edge.
According to a video from UC Berkeley’s Born at UC Berkeley series, student host Angela Zhang explains how this principle has been applied to medical testing. Instead of coffee, users place a swab sample on a membrane. As the liquid dries, particles gather into a ring. Researchers then add a solution with plasmonic nanoparticles; if disease biomarkers are present, these nanoparticles bind to them and create visible patterns that change how light interacts with the membrane.
The test can provide results in as little as 12 minutes and has demonstrated accuracy surpassing that of current rapid COVID-19 tests. According to researchers, this approach could be adapted for detecting sepsis, COVID-19, influenza, and some cancers.
“The innovation is another example of how fundamental science can lead to practical, potentially life-saving technologies born at UC Berkeley,” according to the university.
UC Berkeley is recognized as a leading public research university located in Berkeley, California. It offers more than 300 degree programs across 15 schools and colleges and employs over 1,500 faculty members. The institution is known for integrating research experiences into undergraduate education and fostering interdisciplinary efforts to address global challenges (https://limpar.locallabs.com/organizations/50597651-733b-44fc-993e-28a20a4796c2). The university’s commitment to groundbreaking research has contributed to its reputation as the top public university in the United States (https://www.berkeley.edu/).
The discovery highlights how basic scientific observation can result in advances with real-world impact. More information about this development can be found on UC Berkeley’s social media platforms.
