Modal analysis of novel coronavirus (SARS COV-2) using finite element methodology

Caaisha Warsame; Daniele Valerini; Iñigo Llavori; Asa H Barber; Saurav Goel

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105406

Modal analysis of novel coronavirus (SARS COV-2) using finite element methodology

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2022 Nov:135:105406. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105406. Epub 2022 Aug 20.

Authors

Caaisha Warsame¹, Daniele Valerini², Iñigo Llavori³, Asa H Barber¹, Saurav Goel⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Engineering, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK.
² SSPT-PROMAS-MATAS, ENEA - Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, S.S. 7 Appia, km 706, 72100, Brindisi, Italy.
³ Faculty of Engineering, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, 20500, Arrasate, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
⁴ School of Engineering, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, 248007, India. Electronic address: goels@lsbu.ac.uk.

Abstract

Many new engineering and scientific innovations have been proposed to date to passivate the novel coronavirus (SARS CoV-2), with the aim of curing the related disease that is now recognised as COVID-19. Currently, vaccine development remains the most reliable solution available. Efforts to provide solutions as alternatives to vaccinations are growing and include established control of behaviours such as self-isolation, social distancing, employing facial masks and use of antimicrobial surfaces. The work here proposes a novel engineering method employing the concept of resonant frequencies to denature SARS CoV-2. Specifically, "modal analysis" is used to computationally analyse the Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors i.e. frequencies and mode shapes to denature COVID-19. An average virion dimension of 63 nm with spike proteins number 6, 7 and 8 were examined, which revealed a natural frequency of a single virus in the range of 88-125 MHz. The information derived about the natural frequency of the virus through this study will open newer ways to exploit medical solutions to combat future pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; Finite element analysis (FEA); Modal analysis; Natural frequencies; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Finite Element Analysis
Humans
Pandemics / prevention & control
SARS-CoV-2*
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / metabolism

Substances

Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
spike protein, SARS-CoV-2