Detection of virus-like particles using magnetostrictive vibration energy harvesting

In preparation for new epidemics of infectious diseases caused by viruses, self-powered biosensors based on magnetostrictive materials are attracting attention. This study evaluated the energy harvesting performance of the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever and demonstrated its ability to detect viruses using silica (virus-like) particles. The Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever had an output power of ~0.414 mW (~12.2 mW/cm3). Assuming that all virus-like particles adhered to the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever, it was implied that the Fe-Co/Ni clad plate cantilever could detect a mass of 0.1–1 µg. As a result, the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever could lead to the development of a self-powered virus sensor.