Doctors could soon be equipped with masks and PPEs (personal protective equipment) that could kill coronavirus on surfaces. This will be done using a coating consisting of a polymer material and nanoparticles of some metals, none of which are considered harmful for humans, the researchers said.
The research was conducted jointly by the University of Mumbai and Swachh Urja Alliance, who go on to claim that the aforementioned polymer coating can be synthesized in four hours, while the coating only takes 15 minutes to dry after applied.
Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Mumbai, Vishwanath Patil said - “The coating can be used to destroy coronavirus on PPEs and face masks, thus avoiding infections to the doctors and support staff. Needless to say, it will help save their lives. All the preliminary coating properties of these anti-viral coatings are already proved at the laboratory level.”
“Also, we were conscious about the cost factor and now we know that the coating is going to be inexpensive and the application of it will increase the cost of the PPE or the N-95 masks by a very small sum,” Patil added.
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The research was reportedly conducted in just eight days by Sunil Peshane of Swachh Urja Alliance and Ph.D. student Roshan Rane who also happens to live on the campus. These coating samples have been reportedly sent to the BSL-3 and -4 level lab at the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
It will be interesting to see how the cost factor of this virus-killing coating will be tackled. However, given that this is mostly meant for medical professionals and staff on the frontlines, we’re sure the authorities will be able to procure the required materials in a phased manner.
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