Light-activated, disposable antiviral and antimicrobial plastic films for PPE and other applications

想法：染料和半导体光催化剂能够产生无数的活性氧，这些活性氧可以摧毁病毒和细菌。然而，这项技术以前从未被利用来制造廉价的一次性抗病毒和抗微生物的塑料薄膜，这是这项研究计划的主要目的。目前，在医院和护理院，一次性塑料薄膜在PPE（例如长袍和围裙）以及床头柜和桌子的窗帘和覆盖物中很常见;但这些薄膜不具有任何抗病毒或抗微生物活性，尽管事实上迫切需要这种功能，因为许多病毒和细菌能够在塑料表面上存活数天（对于COVID 19：它是3天！）;本项目满足了这一需求。主要的一揽子工作包括：（i）挤压含有可见光吸收光催化剂或染料的抗病毒/抗菌柔性塑料薄膜;对不同的染料和光催化剂进行测试，以生产最佳产品。(ii)测试塑料薄膜的抗病毒活性，并反馈给薄膜生产部门--以便生成优化的产品（iii）测试塑料薄膜的抗病毒活性，并反馈给薄膜生产部门--以便生成优化的产品（iv）与医疗保健PPE和相关产品的商业供应商合作，例如合作伙伴Clonallon Ltd.，以确定最佳的市场途径。潜力：由于使用的材料便宜，生产塑料薄膜的方法容易扩大，可能的影响是不可估量的。

Idea: Dyes and semiconductor photocatalysts are able to generate a myriad of reactive oxygenspecies which destroy viruses and bacteria. However, never before has this technology beenharnessed to make inexpensive, disposable anti-virial and anti-microbial plastic films before andthis is the primary aim of this research proposal. At present in hospitals and care homes thinplastic disposable films are common in PPE (e.g. gowns and aprons) and curtains and coverings forbedside cupboards and tables; but these films do not have any antiviral or antimicrobial activity,despite the fact that this feature is desperately needed as many viruses and bacteria are able tosurvive on plastic surfaces for several days (for COVID19: it is 3 days!); this project addresses thisneed. The key work packages involve:(i) Extrusion of thin, flexible antiviral/antibacterial plastic films containing either a visible lightabsorbing photocatalyst or dye; with different dyes and photocatalysts to be tested to produce anoptimised product.(ii) Testing of plastic films for antiviral activity and feedback to film production - so that anoptimised product can be generated(iii) Testing of plastic films for antiviral activity and feedback to film production - so that anoptimised product can be generated(iv) Engagement with commercial providers of healthcare PPE and related products, such asClonallon Ltd. a collaborator, in order to identify the best route to market.Potential: As the materials to be used are inexpensive, the method of production of the thin plasticfilms easily scaled, the likely impact is immeasurable.