SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Mass transit ridership in every major metropolitan city has precipitously dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A wide range of technologies are needed to bring the SARS-CoV-2 virus under control and prevent future viral outbreaks. Infectious quantities of viruses can survive on contaminated surfaces for days requiring continuous cleaning to ensure clean, virus free surfaces. The objective of this program is to provide a long lasting, self-disinfecting, antiviral surface cover designed to be mechanically placed over high touch surfaces, such as transit grab bars railings, and shopping cart handles that rapidly disinfects viruses rendering them non-infective. Broad-spectrum antiviral activity is continuously supplied by a combination of reactive oxygen species generated by visible light activated photocatalysts and silicone quaternary ammonium compounds that disrupt the structure of the virus. Both agents are incorporated on high surface area supports and embedded into the surface of the polymeric cover. Unlike traditional spray on coatings that have limited lifetimes and whose active components are potentially toxic, the non-leaching antiviral components are directly adhered to the support providing long lasting performance. All components are environmentally benign, and the system is non-toxic to humans. At the end of use, the surface cover is recyclable. The result is a game changing antiviral cover that can be applied to any high touch surface that will dramatically reduce viral transmission of not only SARS-Cov-2, but a whole range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi
