Graphene-based surface coating to prevent fomite transmission of COVID-19

许多病毒，如SARS-CoV-2，通过感染者打喷嚏、咳嗽或说话时喷出的呼吸道飞沫传播。这些飞沫可以直接落在表面上，也可以在被感染者接触时传播到门把手等表面。这种病毒通常会根据表面的不同而保持几个小时到三天的传染性，如果一个人接触了被污染的表面，然后接触了他们的嘴、眼睛或鼻子，就可以通过污染物传播。UOttawa物理系材料专家Ménard博士和ZEN石墨烯解决方案有限公司之间的联盟合作，一家总部位于安大略省的公司，专注于石墨烯基材料的开发，将专注于开发一种涂层材料，在接触时杀死病毒并防止其传播。该涂层利用了纳米材料的抗病原体特性，更具体地说，石墨烯是一种原子薄的碳层，是研究最多的二维（2D）材料之一。抗病原体机制基于石墨烯的原子级边缘，其有效地充当刺穿细胞膜的纳米剃刀，从而灭活病毒以及其他类型的病原体，如细菌和真菌。该项目的主要成果之一是使科学家能够开发具有更有效和可靠的病原体杀灭表面的消费者和保健产品。当在医院、长期护理中心或其他公共场所使用时，这些抗病毒材料将减少污染物传播并减缓感染速度，从而挽救许多生命。

Many viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, are transmitted by respiratory droplets sprayed out when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. These droplets can either land directly on surfaces or be transmitted to surfaces like doorknobs if touched by an infected person. The virus, which often remains infectious for several hours up to three days depending upon the surface, can then spread by fomite transmission if a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose. This Alliance collaboration between Dr. Ménard, a material specialist in the department of Physics at uOttawa, and ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., an Ontario-based company focusing on the development of graphene-based materials, will focus on developing a coating material that kills viruses on contact and prevent their transmission. The coating harnesses the anti-pathogen properties of nanomaterials, and more particularly graphene, an atomic-thin carbon layer, which is one of the most investigated bidimensional (2D) materials. The anti-pathogen mechanism is based on the atomic-scale edges of graphene that effectively act as nano-razors piercing the cellular membrane and, hence inactivating viruses as well as other types of pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. One of the main project outcomes is to allow scientists to develop consumer and health care products with more effective and reliable pathogen-killing surfaces. When used in hospitals, long-term care centres or other public spaces, these antiviral materials will reduce fomite transmission and slow the rate of infection - thus saving many lives.