Scientists have developed a coating that destroys coronavirus on surfaces

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people go to great lengths to minimize contact with common surfaces such as supermarket trolleys, doorknobs or light switches. Virginia Tech found a solution to the problem. Together with the University of Hong Kong, American scientists have developed a coating that becomes a barrier to coronavirus. Writes about it "Voice of America".

Photo: Shutterstock

The coating resembles paint, but it has not only decorative but also disinfecting properties.

“The paint contains the active ingredient copper oxide, which is made from recycled copper pipes and wire, meaning it is made entirely from recycled materials. And this oxide deactivates the coronavirus,” said Virginia Tech professor William Ducker.

The university emphasizes that the uniqueness of the discovery lies in its simplicity. The principle of action is the same as with silver ions, which kill bacteria. For an unclear reason, the coronavirus is destroyed by contact with copper oxide. It is enough just to apply copper paint to any surface and wait for it to dry.

“After which the coronavirus will be constantly destroyed, day after day. There is no need to re-coat. After all, when you paint a house, you don’t do it every day,” says Ducker.

The coating can be applied, for example, to car door handles or steering wheels: after all, they cannot be wiped with disinfectants after each touch. And also on any other public surfaces, such as handrails in public transport.

According to the research, the virus dies on the painted surface within an hour, and the effectiveness of the method is 99,9%. Although paint is destructive for a virus, a person will not notice much difference when touching painted objects.

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“The texture of anti-Covid paint is very smooth,” Ducker says. “We painted a pen that people in the US typically use to sign credit card transactions, and that people are often afraid to touch. You wouldn’t even notice that it was painted: a regular smooth surface, like an ordinary pen.”

The advantage of anti-coronavirus paint is also called the absence of a pungent odor - when applied, there is a slight smell of copper wire, but after a few hours it disappears.

Scientists claim that copper oxide makes the paint incredibly durable.

“My student tried to scrape it off with a blade, but it wouldn’t come off,” says William Ducker.

So far, the paint is available in only one color - brown-red, since this is the color of copper oxide.

“It’s kind of a differentiator,” Ducker says. According to him, they will also try to make the paint transparent.

Now the professor is thinking about how to commercialize the invention. As with many novel COVID-19 novelties, this can be far more challenging than the invention process. The paint has a clear advantage - it will not be prohibitively expensive.

“I think it will be quite affordable,” says Ducker. — Right now I’m in the process of bringing the project to market, and this is quite difficult, because I’m a professor, not a businessman. So I can’t put a specific price on it, but I believe the technology will be accessible to everyday people, not just millionaires.”

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