News

An antiviral surface coating technology sprayed on face masks could provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 and the flu.    

The coating developed at The University of Queensland has already proven effective in killing the virus that causes COVID-19, and shows promise as a barrier against transmission on surfaces and face masks.

UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology researcher Professor Michael Monteiro said the water-based coating deployed worm-like structures that attack the virus.

“When surgical masks were sprayed with these ‘nanoworms’, it resulted in complete inactivation of the Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus,” Professor Monteiro said.

The coating was developed with Boeing as a joint research project and was tested at the Doherty Institute.

 “These polymer ‘nanoworms’ rupture the membrane of virus droplets transmitted through coughing, sneezing or saliva and damage their RNA,” Professor Monteiro said.

“The chemistry involved is versatile, so the coating can be readily redesigned to target emerging viruses and aid in controlling future pandemics.”

Professor Monteiro said face masks would continue to be an important part of helping prevent or reduce community transmission of COVID-19.

“Antiviral coatings applied on mask surfaces could reduce infection and provide long-lasting control measures to eliminate both surface and aerosolised transmission,” he said.

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

Dr Julie McAuley, Senior Research Officer at the Doherty Institute said the collaborative effort was an example of our continued vital work to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our testing revealed that the nanoworm coating significantly inactivated SARS-CoV-2,” she said.

“This technology may be used to help the population to limit both surface and airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. It could complement vaccination of the population to help stop the current pandemic,” Professor Monteiro concluded.

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

The research is published in ACS Nano (doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.1c05075)