The self-sterilizing film is the first of its kind – it’s inexpensive to manufacture, easily scaled up and could be used for disposable aprons, tablecloths and curtains in hospitals.
It is coated with a thin layer of particles that absorb UV light and generate reactive oxygen species – ROS. These kill viruses, including SARS2.
The technology used to create the film also ensures that it is degradable – unlike the current single-use plastic films it would replace, which is far more environmentally friendly.
The breakthrough could lead to a significant reduction in virus transmission in healthcare, but also in other areas where plastic films are used, such as food production.
The Queen’s University researchers tested the film for its antiviral activity with four different viruses – two strains of the influenza A virus, a highly stable picornavirus called EMCV and SARS2 – and exposed it to either UVA radiation or the light of a cool-white fluorescent lamp.
They found that the film was effective in killing all viruses – even in a room lit only with white fluorescent tubes.
The research, published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, was led by Professor Andrew Mills, Dr. Ri Han and Dr. Christopher O’Rourke at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast and Dr. Connor Bamford and Dr. Jonathon D. Coey at the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences.
Professor Andrew Mills comments: “This wrap could replace many of the single-use plastic wraps used in healthcare, as it has the added benefit of being self-sterilizing at no real additional cost. Through rigorous testing, we have found that it already contains viruses kills room light – this is the first time something like this has been developed and we hope it will be of great benefit to society.”
dr Connor Bamford says: “Pathogenic viruses such as SARS2 and influenza will continue to be a global problem for years to come. With the development of self-sterilizing thin plastic films, we have created a cost-effective technology that will prevent the transmission of such dangerous viruses in healthcare and other areas where they are deployed could significantly curb.”
The project was funded by the Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation.
The EPSRC Director of Inter-Council Programs, Dr. Kedar Pandya, comments: “This is an extremely exciting development that has the potential to drastically reduce the transmission of viruses in many areas while being environmentally sustainable.
“She is an excellent example of adventurous, innovative research that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people.”