The spin-off Nanox Tecnologia launches a reusable respiratory mask with bactericidal and antiviral properties that offers increased protection against coronavirus



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## The spin-off Nanox Tecnologia launches a reusable respiratory mask with bactericidal and antiviral properties that offers increased protection against coronavirus

23/04/2020 |
SCP

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Nanox Tecnologia, a spin-off from the Centre for Development of Functional Materials (CDMF) in Brazil, has just launched, in collaboration with the company ELKA and IEC Partners, a respiratory mask with bactericidal, antifungal and antiviral properties, resulting from the addition of silver and silica nanoparticles to the polymers of which it is made and whose development had been carried out by an international research team composed of staff from the CDMF in Brazil and the Universitat Jaume I (UJI).

Although there is no confirmed evidence of the action of the particles against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (antiviral tests are being carried out to confirm this), the properties of the reusable mask can prevent cross infection with other pathogens, such as bacteria and opportunistic fungi, responsible for the worsening of COVID-19, and also act against other types of virus, increasing the safety of its users and offering greater protection against the coronavirus.

The product, called OTO, is an alternative to the N-95 masks indicated for use by health professionals in hospital environments and has the advantage of being reusable after being disinfected with soap and water (it is made of a smooth and flexible polymer, similar to a rubber, which can be shaped to the contour of the face), with silica and silver nanoparticles incorporated into the surface of the material. To protect the respiratory tract, the personal protection equipment has two disposable filters of the PFF2 type, similar to the N95 type used in the masks of health professionals.

The filters are inserted in vents on both sides of the mask and are protected with lids that avoid physical contact and contamination by direct hand contact. The amount of material needed to produce the filters is less than that used in the production of conventional masks, explains Gustavo Simões, director of Nanox at FAPESP, who adds that "silver and silica nanoparticles increase the level of protection by preventing the presence of fungi and bacteria in the mask". Scale production could start in May with about two hundred thousand units per month and expand to one million units, depending on demand.

In addition to the mask, Nanox Tecnologia will also apply nanoparticles in plastic films to coat hospital surfaces and equipment, as well as for constant domestic use. The researcher Gustavo Simões remarks the oxidative capacity of these nanoparticles to destroy the lipid layer of the new coronavirus and prevent the adhesion and proliferation of the new coronavirus on the surface of the materials. For his part, the director of CDMF, Professor Elson Longo, explains that the antiviral capacity of the materials being tested and the results of the initiative have shown high efficiency against the new virus. Thus, their application could be extended to other products from other interested companies.

CDMF research staff in collaboration with a team from the Universitat Jaume I, coordinated by Professor Juan Andrés Bort of the Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry at the UJI, began a series of tests to evaluate a possible use of silver nanoparticles in the fight against the new coronavirus, since in the scientific literature there was evidence of their possible effectiveness against other types of virus, predecessors of COVID-19.

The CDMF is one of the Centres for Research, Innovation and Dissemination (CEPID) supported by the PIPE programme of the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (FAPESP), and also receives investment from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) of the National Institute of Science and Technology of Materials in Nanotechnology (INCTMN).

Further information: <https://www.otomask.com.br/>

**Information elaborated by the Brazilian Centre for the Development of Functional Materials**

**Photo:** Elson Longo (CDMF) and Juan Andrés Bort (UJI)

**Referencias:**

[Ag Nanoparticles/α-Ag2WO4 Composite Formed by Electron Beam and Femtosecond Irradiation as Potent Antifungal and Antitumor Agents](http://repositori.uji.es/xmlui/handle/10234/183922). Scientific Reports. 2019**. DOI:** <https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46159-y>

[Tailoring the Bactericidal Activity of Ag Nanoparticles/α-Ag2WO4 Composite Induced by Electron Beam and Femtosecond Laser Irradiation: Integration of Experiment and Computational Modeling](http://repositori.uji.es/xmlui/handle/10234/182320). Applied Bio Materials. 2019. DOI:<https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.8b00673>

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