Nanopot plasmonic sensor platform for broad spectrum virus detection

Respiratory viruses have consistently posed global health threats, a fact underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the urgent need for more effective screening tools. Early prevention strategies relied heavily on physical distancing due to limited knowledge about the virus and the absence of effective diagnostics, vaccines, or treatments. Although point-of-care testing (POCT) methods were eventually developed, their effectiveness is constrained by the ability of the virus to mutate, rendering these tests less reliable over time. There is a critical need for an alternative screening tool for respiratory viruses that can broadly detect virus particles and remains unaffected by viral mutations. In here, we introduce a nanopot plasmonic sensor (NPS) platform that meets these criteria. This sensor can directly detect virus particles based on their nanoscale structural characteristics. Operating within the visible light spectrum, the NPS platform captures artificial lipid enveloped viruses (ALEVs), resulting in visually detectable color changes. These colorimetric changes and the sensor's nanoscale size-selectivity were confirmed through optical extinction measurements and simulations, which revealed the plasmonic origins of the sensor's high sensitivity. The broad detection capability and simplicity of measurement suggest that the NPS platform could serve as an effective screening tool for future pandemic preparedness.