A new way to combat coronavirus has been created by embedding nanoparticles into fabric – a process that creates an anti-viral and anti-bacterial surface to reduce infection rates.
The product is scientifically called NANO AB PP-25 and is based on technology from Israel and the USA.
The newly patented product is now due to be produced in the Czech Republic, following agreements between the product’s nanotechnology specialists and the company AG CHEMI GROUP.
“Today, together with Czech manufacturers, we have developed nano technologies than can produce fabrics with active bactericidal effects, killing 99.99% of all known bacteria and virus,” explains Igor Sevcenko, AG CHEMI GROUP’s CEO.
With the world in the grip of a viral pandemic, the breakthrough could not have come at a better time.
But even beyond the impact of COVID-19, an anti-viral/anti-bacterial fabric will have a great many uses in hospitals and care homes struggling to combat infections.
As the Times of Israel reports, “Bacterial infections acquired during hospitalization are a major cause of illness and death. The World Health Organization has estimated that over 500 million people worldwide are infected during hospitalization, a high percentage of which are caused by highly resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. These infections not only take a toll of approximately 14 million lives worldwide per year, but also pose a significant financial burden by increasing hospitalization by eight days on average per affected patient. Hospital related costs in Europe alone are estimated at $12 billion per year.”
With such a high social and economic cost, the new nanofabric could be in high demand, especially given the simplicity of the process which can add nanoparticles into both natural and synthetic fibres. As such, almost any material can be given bacteria and virus killing properties. This makes the nanoproduct suitable for use in tablecloths in restaurants, seats on public transport, cleaning cloths in kitchens, baby clothes, and even more hygienic underwear.
The smell of stale sweat on sports and casual clothing could be reduced, while curtains and seat fabric on aeroplanes, buses and trains would also be safer with use of the nanotechnology.
Such is the power of this novel nanofabric, it is certain to find many useful applications to help keep surfaces free from viruses and bacteria.
Photo credit: Mabel Amber from Pixabay, Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay
