There’s a global race to find a vaccine for COVID19. Meanwhile, we have to design a low risk, testing process to start to reopen our economy at scale [referred to as “Phase 3” in Washington State]. A Canadian company - GLC, Inc. - has prototyped an instant results COVID19 test that could be one solution to get us there. My sense is the GLC test will need to be combined with a kiosk-like kit to self dispense, administer, and collect the tests [see a full description of the GLC test at prototype stage in the article below]. https://www.djournal.com/news/nation-world/rapid-covid-19-virus-detection-test---results-in-seconds/article_166b60b3-5d28-5619-a78c-ceac1b62f337.html
Being able to give yourself the test is important; you don’t really want another human handling a nanotechnology based ‘swab’ in and out of your mouth. This is a mask off, non contact procedure that should be handled only by the person taking the test.
The graphene nanotechnology manufactured by GLC is also an example of a core component that should be open for any qualified company to manufacture. It shouldn’t be limited to large concerns and their restrictive patents. There should be investments in small scale, local graphene manufacturing; to accelerate the COVID19 test materials supply chain. This graphene manufacturing guide was recently open sourced; which should support and advance small manufacturers contributing to COVID19 testing materials. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2053-1583/ab1e0a
Source: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/move-over-graphene-next-gen-2d-materials-could-revolutionize-technology
I also want to investigate the FDA fast track process for approval of the GLC test mentioned in that article. It shouldn’t be a black box procedure that only FDA regulators have access to. Instead it should be well documented pre and post submission guidelines to prepare a COVID19 test manufacturing team for fast track review.