RAPID: Collaborative Research: Transforming passive protective face masks toward active capture and inactivation of coronavirus with nano-assisted surfactant modification

新型冠状病毒疾病是由SARS-CoV-2引起的，这是一种极强的冠状病毒株，在全球范围内造成越来越多的疾病和死亡。根据世界卫生组织的说法，“SARS-CoV-2是在感染者和受感染者之间无保护的密切接触中通过飞沫和污染物传播的”。 最近的一项研究表明，这些病毒粒子可以在空气中传播至少30分钟，并在气溶胶液滴上活跃长达3小时。 非药物保护对于阻止这种病毒的传播至关重要。截至2020年3月19日，美国疾控中心的官方指导方针包括外科口罩长时间非最佳重复使用。 2020年3月27日，世界卫生组织宣布个人防护设备进入紧急状态。 口罩的重复使用使医护人员、一线急救人员、患者和社区面临风险。德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校和佛罗里达大学健康尚兹医院之间的这项研究项目的目的是开发和实施一种快速协议，用于延长手术和N95口罩的使用。 研究人员将开发一种快速、简单的程序，将被动口罩变成主动防护装备。这一提议解决了在冠状病毒危机期间改善个人防护装备的迫切需求。一项新的口罩延长使用协议将立即为医疗保健界带来好处。 增强机制的理解病毒粒子捕获和灭活在纳米生物界面将具有广泛的适用性，在个人防护装备的设计。该研究项目的目标如下：（i）从Shands医院获得面罩，用表面活性剂、紫外线-C射线和蒸汽处理它们，然后使用活力测试表征每种处理的功效，（月桂基硫酸钠、丁酸钠或硬脂酰乳酸钠）碳颗粒（iii）了解病毒附着和灭活的机制，以及（iv）实施快速扩展掩模使用程序。该项目的成果应具有重要和广泛的科学和公共卫生影响。 改良后的口罩可以为医疗保健提供者耗尽的口罩库存提供所需的支持。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Novel coronavirus disease is caused by SARS-CoV-2, an extremely virulent strain of coronavirus that is responsible for an increasing number of illnesses and deaths, globally. According to the World Health Organization, “SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via droplets and fomites during close unprotected contact between an infector and an infectee”. A recent study has shown that these virions can be airborne for at least 30 minutes and be active on the aerosol droplets up to three hours. Non-pharmaceutical protection is essential to stunt the spread of this virus. As of March 19, 2020, the Center for Disease Control’s official guidelines include non-optimal reuse of surgical masks for extended periods of time. Then, on March 27, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a critical emergency on personal protection equipment. The reuse of masks puts healthcare workers, first line responders, patients, and the community at risk. The aim of this research project between the University of Texas-Austin and the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital is to develop and implement a rapid protocol for extended use of surgical and N95 masks. The researchers will develop a fast, simple procedure for turning passive masks into active protective gear.This proposal addresses a critical need to improve personal protection equipment during the coronavirus crisis. A new extended use protocol for masks will render immediate benefits to the healthcare community. An enhanced mechanistic understanding of virion capture and inactivation at nano-bio interfaces will have wide applicability in the design of personal protective equipment. This research project has the following objectives: (i) obtain masks from the Shands hospital, treat them with surfactants, ultraviolet-C ray, and steam, and then characterize the efficacy of each treatment using viability tests, (ii) modify mask surfaces with surfactant-modified (sodium lauryl sulfate, butadines, or stearoyl lactylate) carbon particles (activated carbon, carbon quantum dots, or nano-diamond) at different ratios and moisture content and then test their efficacy in attaching and inactivating coronaviruses, (iii) understand the mechanisms of virus attachment and inactivation, and (iv) implement a rapid extended mask-use program. The outcomes from this project should have critical and widespread scientific and public health impacts. The modified masks could provide needed support to the depleted mask-inventory of health care providers.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.