SBIR Phase II (COVID-19): Highly Potent Nanozeolite-based Silver Antimicrobials

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是为医疗，军事和消费应用提供持久的抗菌和抗病毒解决方案。抗生素耐药性增加了医院获得性感染的患病率，新型冠状病毒SARS-CoV-2导致了全球COVID-19大流行。 该项目旨在通过开发一种技术来缓解这些问题，以有效减少细菌和病毒通过受污染表面的传播。 这种抗菌表面涂层技术可杀死病原体并最大限度地减少其传播;它可用于医疗和保健机构，以支持传染病缓解工作。该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将通过生产喷雾产品的方法来扩大银/锌离子纳米沸石的制造。通过优化选择添加剂，将开发出可轻松均匀地应用于软质和硬质表面的配方。喷雾的两个独特特征是增加活性纳米沸石对表面的粘附性以及通过视觉观察预测纳米沸石的活性何时降低的能力，从而促进重新应用过程。纳米沸石在表面上的均匀铺展将通过喷雾的粘度和泵式喷雾器的设计来控制。该项目将展示对革兰氏阴性菌、革兰氏阳性菌、致病真菌和冠状病毒的有效性，以及开发应用方案。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide a long-lasting antimicrobial and antiviral solution for medical, military and consumer applications. Antibiotic resistance has increased the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections, and the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. This project seeks to mitigate these problems by developing a technology to effectively decrease the transfer of bacteria and viruses via contaminated surfaces. This antimicrobial surface coating technology kills pathogens and minimizes their transport; it can be used in medical and healthcare institutions to support contagion mitigation efforts. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will scale up manufacturing of a silver/zinc ion nanozeolite via a method to produce a spray product. Formulations that can be easily and uniformly applied on soft and hard surfaces by optimal choice of additives will be developed. Two unique features of the spray are increased adhesion of the active nanozeolite to a surface as well as the ability to predict when the activity of the nanozeolite is diminished by visual observations, prompting the reapplication process. Uniform spreading of the nanozeolite on a surface will be controlled by the viscosity of the spray and the design of the pump sprayer. This project will demonstrate efficacy against gram-negative, gram-positive bacteria, pathogenic fungi and coronaviruses, as well as developing application protocols.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.