Using silver and copper nano layers, researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have created a face covering that allegedly neutralizes Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, , The Straits Times reports.
According the article published in the university’s gazette, the SARS-CoV-2 membrane breaks and damages its RNA upon contact with the two metals nanolayer that provides double protection against viruses and bacteria.
The clinical trials of the face mask, during which researchers placed Covid droplets on the silver-copper film of masks used by patients in Mexican Hospital Juarez, showed that more than 80% of the virus was gone in around eight hours while in cases with low viral load, no traces of the virus RNA was found in two hours.
Scientists say the face covering named SakCu is reusable and claim it can be washed up to 10 times without compromising its neutralizing traits and it also doesn’t pose contamination threat when disposed incorrectly unlike many other types of masks.
The current production ability of the researchers is only 200 masks per day so more time might be needed before the mask is available for mass production since the research led by UNAM’s Materials Research Institute has not been peer reviewed.
Previously at the end of June, MIT and Harvard University have also informed they had designed a face covering with tiny, disposable sensors capable of diagnosing Covid-19 with the wearer in 90 minutes.
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