Antimicrobial copper nanocomposite coating for protecting touch surfaces from COVID-19

用于保护触摸表面免受 COVID-19 侵害的抗菌铜纳米复合涂层

• 批准号: 554480-2020
• 负责人: Kim, Keekyoung
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=705426
• 关键词: Antimicrobial; copper; nanocomposite; coating; protecting

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the importance of sterilization eliminating bacteria and viruses becomes even more emphasized. There are growing public concerns of pathogen transmission via commonly touched surfaces such as transit handlebars, elevator buttons, door handles, the touchpad of bank ATMs, etc. Even though there are many sanitizers available, it is quite tedious since it must be rubbed and applied by hand frequently. There is an urgent need to have antimicrobial surface coatings with which the routine sanitization on such surfaces will no longer be required. In order to respond this urgent need, the University of Calgary and Flair Flexible Packaging Corp. have cooperated to develop copper nanocomposite coatings to kill bacteria and viruses. Flair's products are commonly seen in a variety of food packaging. Due to the current pandemic concerns, their customers are also very interested in the antimicrobial surfaces. The outcome of this research will minimize the lifespan of bacteria and viruses on the surface of the packages, thereby reducing the possibility of spreading pathogens via touching the packages. More importantly, the antimicrobial coating technologies will applicable to not only the product packages but also the surface of public areas such as clinics, nursing homes, or hospitals where there is a higher risk of COVID-19 infection. The new copper nanocomposite coating will be designed and developed by the optimized condition of copper nanoparticles, polymer, and solvent mixtures. The antibacterial and antiviral activity of the coating will be tested with different bacteria and viruses. The new development would provide an alternative way to respond to the ever-growing demands for antimicrobial coating with cost-effectiveness and time efficiency. The collaborative research will benefit Canada by providing health, economic, and environmental benefits as well as a way to facilitate the training of HQP with a variety of professional and technical skills.

随着COVID-19大流行的持续，消毒消除细菌和病毒的重要性变得更加突出。越来越多的公众关注病原体通过经常接触的表面传播，如交通把手、电梯按钮、门把手、银行自动取款机的触摸板等。虽然市面上有很多消毒液，但由于必须经常用手搓洗，所以非常繁琐。迫切需要抗菌表面涂层，不再需要对这些表面进行常规卫生处理。