While wearing masks has proven effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19, a new mask developed by a U.K. chemist goes one step further. The mask, created by Dr. Gareth Cave, professor at Nottingham Trent University and director of Pharm2farm, not only traps the virus but also kills it – and continues to kill it over a seven-hour period, according to an article from WENY News. The difference-maker: nanotechnology containing copper.
According to the article, it was discovered at the outset of the pandemic that while the virus can survive for days on surfaces such as stainless steel or glass, it dies instantly on copper. Pharm2farm had already developed nanotechnology containing copper prior to the pandemic and decided to use their technology and combine it with a surgical style mask. Traditional masks still leave open an opportunity for passive transmission if the virus is captured on the outside or inside of the mask, according to the article. Cave’s invention seeks to eliminate that possibility by killing the virus on contact. The masks were designed to be affordable and are expected to cost about $1.50 per mask.
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