Graphene against coronavirus: the G + Co-Mask promises to protect us and others by exploiting this material
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousGraphene against coronavirus: the G + Co-Mask promises to protect us and others by exploiting this material, already known for many other properties, including antibacterial. But will it also be an effective antiviral? Tests are ongoing and appear to show encouraging results.
The innovative personal protective device was designed and developed by the Lombard company Directa Plus, producer and supplier of graphene, already tested on some fabrics and in water purification.
The idea, born in the first weeks of the emergency alongside others that are multiplying, has now been concretized, even if the antiviral properties of the material, known as antibacterial, antistatic and excellent conductor of heat. The latter property, in particular, favors the despair of excess heat and the sanitation for the reuse of devices, increasingly dispersed in the environment.
"This is a project that was born during an emergency to put the properties of graphene at the service of community safety - explains Giulio Cesareo, founder and CEO of Directa Plus - [...] The experiments carried out on air filtration to create the in fact, our mask represent the first step to specialize also in air purification, after having acquired solid expertise in using our materials for water decontamination ".
©Direct Plus
Over 180 materials were tested to develop G + Co-Mask, up to the choice of the one that appeared highly breathable, on which a graphene film called 'Planar Thermal Circuit' was applied due to its heat conduction properties. There is also a cotton model, designed using graphene impregnation: the cotton is treated in particular with water and graphene which thus penetrates inside the fiber.
©Direct Plus
But it protects us or at least those around us from coronavirus? This point is still unclear. In fact, the antibacterial properties do not at all guarantee a shield even against viruses, which are much smaller and with completely different characteristics.
Graphene, the eco-sustainable material of the future: here are its possible "green" applications
Blocking the bacteria (the filter can stop up to 95% of these pathogens) could, however, compensate for the need and difficulty in sanitizing the common surgical masks, which remain, in fact, disposable, and which are dangerously feeding our urban waste.
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On the antiviral properties, however, tests are underway and the company is optimistic.
Sources of reference: Directa Plus
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