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，这是一种极具毒性的冠状病毒株，导致全球越来越多的疾病和死亡。根据世界卫生组织的说法，“SARS-CoV-2是在感染者和感染者之间无保护措施的密切接触中通过飞沫和混合物传播的”。最近的一项研究表明，这些病毒粒子可以在空气中飞行至少30分钟，并在气溶胶液滴上活跃长达3个小时。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，疾病控制中心的官方指南包括在较长时间内非最佳地重复使用外科口罩。然后，在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。口罩的重复使用将医护人员、一线急救员、患者和社区置于危险之中。德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校和佛罗里达大学卫生局斯汉兹医院之间的这项研究项目的目的是开发和实施一项扩大外科和N95口罩使用范围的快速方案。研究人员将开发一种快速、简单的程序，将被动口罩转变为主动防护装备。这项建议解决了在冠状病毒危机期间改进个人防护装备的迫切需要。一项新的口罩延长使用协议将立即为医疗保健社区带来好处。加强对纳米生物界面上病毒粒子捕获和灭活的机理的理解，将在个人防护装备的设计中具有广泛的适用性。这项研究项目有以下目标：(I)从斯汉兹医院获得口罩，用表面活性剂、紫外线和水蒸气处理，然后用活性试验表征每种处理方法的有效性；(Ii)用不同比例和水分的表面活性剂修饰口罩表面(十二烷基硫酸钠、丁二胺或硬脂酰乳酸酯)碳颗粒(活性碳、碳量子点或纳米钻石)，然后测试它们对冠状病毒附着和灭活的效果；(Iii)了解病毒附着和灭活的机制，以及(Iv)实施一项扩展的口罩使用计划。该项目的成果应对科学和公共卫生产生重大和广泛的影响。改进后的口罩可以为耗尽的医疗保健提供者的口罩库存提供必要的支持。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.