Researchers in Israel are developing long-lasting, antiviral coatings for high-touch surfaces as doorknobs to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
These novel coatings contain nanoparticles of safe metal ions and polymers with anti-viral and anti-microbial activity, according to the researchers at Ben-Gurion University (Beer Sheba) and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev.
Even in small quantities, certain metals can be lethal to viruses and bacteria but are not poisonous to humans. In proof-of-concept experiments, the researchers assessed the effect of surfaces coated with nanoparticles of various metals on the infectivity of lentiviruses, which belong to the HIV family, in human cells. Findings show that surfaces coated with copper nanoparticles strongly block infection of the cells by the virus. These ongoing experiments show potential for copper ions in preventing surface-mediated infection with SARS-CoV-2, according to the scientists.
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