黑料吃瓜群网

An antiviral surface coating technology developed at could provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 and the flu.

The water-based coating uses worm-like structures to attack the virus and could serve as a barrier against transmission on surfaces and face masks.

The coating was developed with as a joint research project, and was tested at the at , with research published in .

UQ鈥檚 Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology researcher Professor Michael Monteiro said, 鈥淲hen surgical masks were sprayed with these 鈥榥anoworms鈥�, it resulted in complete inactivation of the Alpha variant of Sars-CoV-2 and influenza A.鈥�

鈥淭hese polymer 鈥榥anoworms鈥� rupture the membrane of virus droplets transmitted through coughing, sneezing or saliva and damage their RNA,鈥� Professor Monteiro said.

鈥淭he chemistry involved is versatile, so the coating can be readily redesigned to target emerging viruses and aid in controlling future pandemics.鈥� Professor Monteiro said face masks would continue to be an important part of helping prevent or reduce community transmission of COVID-19.

鈥淎ntiviral coatings applied on mask surfaces could reduce infection and provide long-lasting control measures to eliminate both surface and aerosolised transmission,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e know that COVID-19 remains infectious for many hours or days on some surfaces, and provides a direct route to infection.

鈥淭herefore, there is greater emphasis on eliminating both surface and airborne transmission to complement vaccination of the population to stop the current pandemic.鈥�

The coating is said to be environmentally friendly and water-based, and its synthesis aligns with manufacturing techniques used in the paint and coatings industry.听
听

Image credit: 漏stock.adobe.com/au/charnsitr