Perhaps contracted in an office or on the subway, the bacteria that cause the flu may be spread through ventilation systems. But we’ve found a way to eliminate bacteria and viruses before they spread and help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses in enclosed spaces.
Our recent research shows that the use of silver, copper and zinc oxide particles in low-cost commercial filters has antiviral and antibacterial properties: they almost completely inactivate viruses and prevent bacterial growth.
Protect us from the invisible
All our lives we have heard sage advice from doctors on how to avoid falling victim to the flu: wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cover your nose and mouth, etc. While these are all great tips to help minimize the impact of these little villains, many times it’s not enough and we have to confront them.
Respiratory viruses are easily spread through direct contact, aerosols, or contact with infected surfaces. A 2020 study led by researchers from Singapore’s National Center for Infectious Diseases and DSO National Laboratory confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in places such as door handles, sinks and fans among patients infected with the virus. Virus.
This is why the practice of using disinfecting substances such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite, which has been spread in the era of covid-19, is very good. In this way, contact transmission is relatively covered, but what will happen to the quality of the air we breathe?
Key points of ventilation system
Let’s think about places like public transportation, schools, offices, and gyms. These places can become “ideal incubators” for promoting respiratory infections. Hospital centers may be even more important because that’s where the most vulnerable to illness are.
In enclosed spaces, aerosols generated when sneezing or even talking are sources of infection. Additionally, heating or air conditioning systems in these locations, although filtered, can still spread viruses and serve as breeding grounds for bacteria. It is in this context that materials play an important role in reducing the expansion of microorganisms on surfaces and in the air.
Read more: Coronavirus doesn’t have wings, but sometimes it flies
magic material
Filtration is one of the most common methods of ensuring air quality in enclosed spaces. Filters effectively capture particles of different sizes and have a cleaner environment. However, after long-term use, microorganisms harmful to human health, such as fungal spores and bacteria, will accumulate and even multiply on untreated filters.
Over the past two decades, spores of a variety of bacteria have been detected in such environments, including Propionibacterium
, staphylococcus and Legionella .A variety of harmful fungi are also found, e.g. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium.But what if we could not only filter particles, but also eliminate possible microorganisms?
Destroy viruses and bacteria before they spread
The filtration process in air conditioners is a physical barrier that can trap micron-sized bacteria in some cases. Viruses are much smaller (nanometers or less) and can pass through more easily. But our job is not just to retain them, the goal is to eliminate them.
This was the main motivation for a recently published study, led by researchers from IMDEA’s Institute of Materials in collaboration with scientists from the Center for Biomedical Research in Red Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES) and the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain.
silver, zinc and copper
The periodic table of elements is full of amazing materials with different properties. Some metals such as silver, copper and zinc have special properties that can destroy microorganisms through different mechanisms.
Therefore, our study is based on a novel process: we immobilized silver, copper and zinc oxide particles in low-cost commercial filters. We manage to give them antiviral and antibacterial properties. Once viruses and bacteria enter the system, they are not only captured, but also inactivated or eliminated.
Among the most promising results, we found that both silver and copper compounds exhibited complete antiviral activity (greater than 99%). The silver-filtered extract also showed complete blocking of bacterial growth during the 24-hour incubation period measured in the study.
To simplify the operation of the system, let’s imagine a person sneezes and produces small droplets containing the virus. If a virus is caught in a ventilation system, as it passes through the filtration system it encounters our particles, which deactivate it on contact. This way they can no longer reproduce and continue to travel through the environment.
Developments in materials have led to widespread improvements in industry, energy and health. Our research is just one of many scientific advances leading to a healthier environment.