Developing a pathogen-repellant wrap-improving performance and manufacturing throughput and evaluating real-world potential

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We have developed, RepelWrap, a pathogen-repellent flexible wrap that can be applied to a wide range of surfaces for reducing contamination. RepelWrap is founded on structural hierarchy, carefully designed features from the nanoscale to the macroscale, combined with chemical functionalization for achieving wide-range liquid and pathogen repellency. RepelWrap reduces viral contamination on surfaces by 4-logs and the formation of bacterial biofilms by 85%. There is a tremendous market need for such technology that can be applied to high touch surfaces and packaging for reducing the spread of infectious pathogens.In this project, we will partner with three industry partners with active research and development activities in Canada to improve the pathogen repellency of RepelWrap by engineering a new bi-functional materials architecture (in collaboration with FendX), enhance manufacturing throughput using roll-to-roll processing rather than manual deposition (in collaboration with FendX and FLEXcon), and to assess the pathogen repellency of RepelWrap under real-world conditions (in collaboration with Draganfly). The final outcome of this project will be a highly effective antimicrobial surface, reducing bacterial and viral loads on surfaces by at least 3-logs. With the knowledge and materials developed herein, FendX intends to commercialize RepelWrap for the Canadian and global market, creating research and development, and supply chain jobs. FLEXcon is the intended manufacturer for RepelWrap, and it will use the processing knowledge developed in this grant to manufacture this product at their Canadian manufacturing facility, creating manufacturing jobs. Draganfly is expected to use RepelWrap as a packaging and protective material for reducing the transmission of infections. RepelWrap will provide a made in Canada solution for reducing the spread of pathogens of concern such as SARS-CoV-2, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to name a few, providing important health benefits by reducing the burden of infectious diseases.