United States. A team of researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF), led by materials science and engineering professor Sudipta Seal, has received a patent for its nanomaterial-based disinfectant that can kill several viruses, including COVID-19.
"We are very excited that this patent will be accepted so quickly and are pleased that the work is of great value in combating viruses and pathogen-borne infections," said Professor Seal.
"Thank you to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for recognizing this work and to the UCF Technology Transfer Office for their support," he added.
The COVID-killing coating is made with a nanomaterial that activates under white light, such as sunlight or LED light. Whenever the nanomaterial is exposed to a continuous light source it can regenerate its antiviral properties, creating a self-cleaning effect.
The efficacy of the disinfectant was tested and demonstrated through a study that was published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces last year.
The study found that the coating can not only destroy the COVID-19 virus, but can also fight the spread of Zika virus, SARS, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, and vesicular stomatitis.
The research was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation's RAPID program and conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including Griff Parks, a professor at the UCF School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the grant.
Now that the disinfectant has been patented, the research team will continue to test the product and UCF will look for a business partner to manufacture and sell it to a wide range of customers in the coming years.
"We plan to continue work on larger samples and also test in vivo models and other means of infection control," Seal continued.
"The process is well defined and we plan to work with an industry partner to bring it to the mass market," he said.
