Antimicrobial Coating for PPE
The problem is that PP gears does not kill the virus on contact and therefore requires the users to dispose of the contaminated gears safely and therefore cross contamination is possible. This is clearly a possible case with infectious pathogens.
By providing a protective chemical coat that is aimed at neutralizing microbial replication when applied to medical protective gears thus reducing its a ability to spread from surfaces such as used protective gears.
It will have global impact where time to time infectious outbreaks occur including the Covid-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of the virus is important. By enhancing protective material to neutralize rather than just block or trap the pathogen, it will keep professionals and the public safer.
This is a global problem rather than a isolated problem and the covid 19 pandemic has made it more evident. The shortage and improper disposal of pp materials after being exposed to infectious environments requires an approach that terminates them rather trapping them.
Mainly the front line workers (medical profession) are at a greater risk but also every individual who is required to wear ppe ormask
The solution is to coat ppe materials that terminates pathogen on contact with surface of the coating and has no effect on the user- no skin contact, no odours.
The technology used is based on biotechnology and its ability to disrupt the pathogens ability to replicate.
Currently we want to impact the lives of the medical front line workers who are at risk of exposure and also the patient under their care.
However during a pandemic such as the one we currently facing all individual are including in the use of the technology. We are currently testing Covid-19 on the coat with support from the hospital's Microbiology Department.
In this challenge we aim to provide a solution for " providing tools that support and protect health workers."
By using the material to coat ppe, it enhances the ability of the gears to keep the health workers safer through the termination of the pathogen.
- Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model
- A new application of an existing technology
Other solutions only provide a protective barrier (such as mask and current ppe) that repels or trap the pathogen making it more likely that the pathogen will be able survive.\
We are coating ppe with a materials that provide a pathogen killing barrier while safe for the user.
With the use of chemistry and biotechnology, our solution has the ability to disrupt the pathogen's internal materials such as protein and RNA, which will terminate the pathogen.
Through the use of elements such as zinc and silver that is known to affect the internal processed of the pathogens
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263285014_The_contribution_of_zinc_ions_to_the_antimicrobial_activity_of_zinc_oxide
These elements are known to be antimicobial and thus seeks to use these properties to enhance ppe.
- Biotechnology / Bioengineering
- Materials Science
Activities- ppe coated with protective layer
Outputs- Users are safer as less pathogens are killed on contact so ability to be infected by them is low.
Short term outcomes- see drop in infectious cases.
Long term outcomes- Quicker recovery during pandemic
- Women & Girls
- Pregnant Women
- Elderly
- Rural
- Peri-Urban
- Urban
- Poor
- Low-Income
- Middle-Income
- 3. Good Health and Well-Being
Currently; 2
One year, 10's of millions of health professionals
Five years; 100's of millions
Next year- Make it available to manufacturer for commercialization
5 Years- available to all areas that are commonly known for infection out breaks
Viral testing and sourcing a manufacturer to mass produce the solution.
through partnering with Hospital for virall testing and partnering with a pp manufacturer in US or Asia.
- For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
2 part time
Biotechnology background and 5 years business operation experience. Team has developed bio plastics, anti diabetic products and climate change resilient for agriculture.
Currently working alongside the University Hospital to test the antiviral on the coated material.
Licenses to manufacturers who are already supplying the industry. They would want this innovation because they are currently seeking ways to make their products safer for the users.
Health industry is also seeking safer options especially with impact of Covid and other pathogens to come.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
Raising investment capital and grants.
After which royalty is gained from the licensing model.
Mr.