Successfully created an 'armor' layer that eliminated 96% of viruses

The material can be integrated into devices and surfaces to prevent the spread of viruses and reduce the use of disinfectants .

A research team from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia has just successfully created a silicon material made of nano spikes. This material is capable of eliminating 96% of viruses that touch its surface.

The image magnified 65,000 times shows a virus clinging to a nano-spiked material. (Photo: RMIT).

According to the research team, the nano spikes will literally skewer virus particles when they come into contact with each other. This action will break the structure of the viruses, or damage them to the point where they cannot continue to reproduce.

As a result, almost all viral activity on surfaces will be wiped out after about 6 hours.

The virus-killing properties of this material have been tested both practically and theoretically, successfully blocking four different human parainfluenza viruses. This virus is the cause of diseases including bronchitis, pneumonia and laryngitis. This is the most virulent parainfluenza virus in humans.

The 96% virus kill rate is enough to protect most healthy people from a range of pathogens that can be transmitted through surface contact, the team said.

Therefore, the most practical application of this material is to be used in hospitals, scientific laboratories or anywhere where surfaces need to be sterilized at the highest level.

"The material could be integrated into devices and surfaces to prevent the spread of viruses and reduce the use of disinfectants," said Natalie Borg, the project's molecular biologist.

The material eliminates viruses seen with the naked eye. (Photo: RMIT).

Also according to the representative of the research team, this approach is inspired by nature, specifically insects, such as dragonflies, cicadas.

In these species, they possess many nano-sized spikes on their wings, which can kill bacteria and fungi. However, for viruses, their size is much smaller, so the spikes created must also be similar.

Although this immune "armor" is only in the experimental stage, if it can be scaled up and applied in healthcare settings, it could create a breakthrough, the researchers said. Huge difference.

"Deployment of this advanced technology in high-risk environments such as laboratories, hospitals, healthcare facilities. or where there is concern about exposure to biological materials dangerous, could significantly strengthen measures to prevent infectious diseases," said RMIT applied physicist Samson Mah.