Researchers have developed a new carbon-based material that captures and destroys an animal c犀利士 oronavirus, a close relative of the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain that causes Covid-19.
Created by scientists and engineers from Cambridge in the UK and Ma’alot-Tarshiha in Israel, the ‘active virus filter’ – in the form of a thin carbon nanotube mat (‘TorStran’) – has the filtration and air permeability properties that allow it to capture free virus molecules and those contained in airborne aerosolised droplets.
According to its developers, both filtration and virus disruption take place at the same time, allowing the filter to reduce the risk of infection by removing contamination from the air. The team envisage it being particularly useful in confined situations such as emergency vehicles, hospitals, transportation, waiting areas and wards.