Anti-viral Metal Coatings

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Copper has well known anti-viral properties and is also widely used as an electroplated coating for everyday items such as coins and door handles. However, it is susceptible to corrosion (tarnish) which requires high maintenance for aesthetic reasons or is lacquered obfuscating its use as an anti-viral surface. Armadillo, in co-operation with the Royal Mint, has developed and patented a high performance, anti-corrosion 'additive' technology to augment current metal plating processes. Proof of anti-tarnish and anti-corrosion has been achieved on copper, evidencing the possibility of using this technology to create practical, long-lived anti-viral surfaces on everyday metallic items. This project will prove the efficacy of the technology as an anti-viral surface, initially on test specimens but later on practical metallic objects such as coins and door handles. As part of Phase 2 the technology will be tested specifically for anti-CoronaVirus-19 properties, certified as such, and scaled up for widespread adoption. Project partners include The Royal Mint who not only have an interest in anti-viral coatings for coins but also have the electroplating facilities and expertise to electroplate at scale and UAP Ltd, a supplier of door furniture for clinical environments who again have an obvious interest in anti-viral coatings.