A new concept for quickly detecting the presence of viruses A Lancaster University professor has introduced a new concept for rapidly analyzing for the presence of a virus from colds to coronaviruses. Based on analyzing chemical elements the methodology, which has been adapted from an analytical technique used to identify metallic nanoparticles, is able to detect the presence of viruses within just 20 seconds. Although the tests would need to be performed in a lab, it could be used to quickly identify whether people admitted to hospitals have been infected by a virus - enabling clinicians to decide treatments and also whether to admit patients into isolation wards.