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GC, Zen make composite ink to kill Covid-19

08 May '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Graphene Composites has joined hands with Zen in an international partnership to develop a virucidal graphene-based composite ink that, if found effective, can be applied to fabrics including N95 face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for increasing protection against viruses including Covid-19. This will help fight the current pandemic.

Once the development, testing, and confirmation of the graphene ink’s virucidal ability have been completed, the ink will be incorporated into fabrics used for PPE.

Sandy Chen, CEO of Graphene Composites (GC) stated, “Combining the deep nanomaterials expertise of GC and Zen with a truly collaborative approach has enabled us to do a year’s worth of R and D in a matter of weeks. Quickly developing and deploying our virucidal/germicidal ink would make a significant difference in slowing the rate of infection – thus saving many lives.”

Francis Dubé, CEO of Zen commented, “We are pleased to be collaborating with GC and be on the forefront of a new innovative technology that could contribute to combating the deadly Covid-19 virus. The development of this potential Covid-19 virucidal graphene ink is coming at a crucial time to provide effective PPE supplies for the safety of frontline workers and hospital staff.” Dubé continued, “The current N95 masks trap the virus but don’t kill it. Our testing will demonstrate if the graphene ink is an effective virucide which would kill the virus as this could make a big difference to people’s safety. We have been very impressed by the Graphene Composites team and look forward to continued collaborations.”

Under the collaboration, GC has devised a silver nanoparticle/graphene oxide ink formulation that Zen has synthesised at its lab in Guelph, Ontario, that has been documented by previous researchers to kill earlier versions of coronavirus.

Once testing is completed, the GC/Zen graphene ink would then be incorporated into a fabric to be included into masks and filters designed by GC. Efficacy testing of the silver-graphene oxide-based ink to kill the Covid 19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) will be conducted at the University of Western Ontario ImPaKT Facility Biosafety Level 3 lab. In addition, the graphene ink will be tested to kill influenza A and B viruses at Biosafety Level 2 labs in the UK and the US.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)

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