Israeli anti-bacterial fabric firm Sonovia Ltd has claimed to have developed a technology to create virus-resistant textiles and masks to help fight coronavirus. The start-up uses nanotechnology to infuse textiles with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial chemicals. This technology has been sent to labs in China for testing, according to Israeli media reports.
The nanotechnology process, developed at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, is reportedly effective in sealing the penetration of bacteria and fungus.Israeli anti-bacterial fabric firm Sonovia Ltd has claimed to have developed a technology to create virus-resistant textiles and masks to help fight coronavirus. The start-up uses nanotechnology to infuse textiles with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial chemicals. This technology has been sent to labs in China for testing, according to Israeli media reports.#
An ultrasonic-assisted impregnation process infuses metal oxide nanoparticles onto textiles. These particles are a specialised chemical compound that converts the textiles into a highly powerful barrier against fungi, bacteria and viruses.
In a press release, Sonovia’s co-founder Shay Herscovich said several fabrics have been sent to a medical lab in Chengdu, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing had officially received it.
However, it will take some days to colonise the coronavirus on the fabric and analyse if the technology effectively works.
The technology can be used on masks, gowns, hospital bedding, protective clothing and other apparel to protect against infection. The nanotechnology-enhanced textile is reportedly so powerful that it can maintain its anti-pathogen activity at up to 100 washes when washed at 75° Celsius and 65 washes when washed at 92° Celsius.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)