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，这些活性氧可以消灭病毒和细菌。然而，在此之前，这项技术从未被用来制造廉价的、一次性的抗病毒和抗微生物塑料薄膜，这是本研究计划的主要目的。目前，在医院和护养院，薄塑料一次性薄膜常见于个人防护装备（如长袍和围裙）、窗帘以及床头柜和桌子的覆盖物；但这些薄膜不具有任何抗病毒或抗菌活性，尽管这一特性是迫切需要的，因为许多病毒和细菌能够在塑料表面存活数天（对于covid - 19：它是3天！）；这个项目解决了这一需求。主要工作包包括：(i)挤出含有可见光吸收光催化剂或染料的薄而柔韧的抗病毒/抗菌塑料薄膜；用不同的染料和光催化剂进行测试，以产生非优化产品。（二）测试塑料薄膜的抗病毒活性并向薄膜生产提供反馈——以便生成非优化产品；（三）测试塑料薄膜的抗病毒活性并向薄膜生产提供反馈——以便生成非优化产品；（四）与医疗防护个人防护用品及相关产品的商业供应商（如clonallon有限公司）合作，以确定进入市场的最佳途径。潜力：由于所使用的材料价格低廉，生产塑料薄膜的方法容易缩放，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.