Background

The COVID-19 global pandemic has highlighted the great demand for antimicrobial/antiviral coatings to suppress the virus. Over the last decade, several reports described the introduction of antimicrobial/antiviral coatings that were applied to different surfaces. However, their widespread application is still not realized, especially in developing countries. Worldwide, millions are affected annually by disease transmission from contaminated surfaces especially in healthcare facilities. No represents a public health risk, but also a huge economic burden. Contaminated surfaces were proven as one of the main reasons for disease transmission to humans. With the current pandemic, the utilization of disinfectants has skyrocketed, however, current disinfectants are effective only at the application making them momentary solutions. There is a need for continuous surface decontamination using a coating spray that can deposit a disinfecting layer with sustained antimicrobial/antiviral effect which will both reduce disinfection as well as the avoid development of bacterial resistance. Having a sustained antimicrobial/antiviral effect for days and will not lead to cross-contamination.

Technology Overview

NanoGuard is a surface coating effective against a broad range of bacteria and viruses including COVID-19. NanoGuard will be developed as a spray that can be applied by individuals onto different surfaces in hospitals, universities, and homes to eliminate microbial communities and prevent disease transmission. NanoGuard is an easy-to-apply coating spray that can deposit a layer with sustained antimicrobial/antiviral effect, significantly reducing the cost of disinfection, as well as, avoiding bacterial resistance. In addition, the antimicrobial effect is expected to last for several days. NanoGuard represents an innovative, cost effective, safe technology via nanoencapsulation of benzoyl peroxide, a radical-generating compound, into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) adhesive nanoparticles. These cost effective nanocapsules will maintain prolonged release of the free radicals and increased adhesion to surfaces thus prolonging the antiviral/antibacterial activity to several days. Benzoyl peroxide exhibits a versatile mode of action against microbes hence rendering it insensitive to bacterial resistance.

Benefits

Long-acting antiviral/antimicrobial coating.
Cost Effective: The product is based on cost effective materials and synthesis procedures to serve multiple customers and to be able to compete against similar imported products that are more expensive.
Nanocarriers will be optimized to be suspended in a propellant thus allowing its packaging as an aerosol.
Optimized synthesis.

Applications

Nano-Guard spray is an antimicrobial coating spray that can be easily applied to different surfaces in various sectors including various surfaces at hospitals, public spaces, offices, schools and restaurants. The spray can easily be used to and sprayed on medical tools in the dental sector, various instruments and machinery and onto several textiles.

NANOGUARD: Antimicrobial Coating Material and Methods for Preparation and Application to Surfaces

Patents

IP Status