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Salt coatings functionalize inert membranes into high-performing filters against infectious respiratory diseases.
Rubino, Ilaria; Oh, Euna; Han, Sumin; Kaleem, Sana; Hornig, Alex; Lee, Su-Hwa; Kang, Hae-Ji; Lee, Dong-Hun; Chu, Ki-Back; Kumaran, Surjith; Armstrong, Sarah; Lalani, Romani; Choudhry, Shivanjali; Kim, Chun Il; Quan, Fu-Shi; Jeon, Byeonghwa; Choi, Hyo-Jick.
  • Rubino I; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Oh E; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Han S; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Kaleem S; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Hornig A; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Lee SH; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Kang HJ; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea.
  • Lee DH; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea.
  • Chu KB; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea.
  • Kumaran S; Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea.
  • Armstrong S; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Lalani R; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Choudhry S; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Kim CI; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Quan FS; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
  • Jeon B; Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea.
  • Choi HJ; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada.
Sci Rep ; 10(1): 13875, 2020 08 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-720847
ABSTRACT
Respiratory protection is key in infection prevention of airborne diseases, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic for instance. Conventional technologies have several drawbacks (i.e., cross-infection risk, filtration efficiency improvements limited by difficulty in breathing, and no safe reusability), which have yet to be addressed in a single device. Here, we report the development of a filter overcoming the major technical challenges of respiratory protective devices. Large-pore membranes, offering high breathability but low bacteria capture, were functionalized to have a uniform salt layer on the fibers. The salt-functionalized membranes achieved high filtration efficiency as opposed to the bare membrane, with differences of up to 48%, while maintaining high breathability (> 60% increase compared to commercial surgical masks even for the thickest salt filters tested). The salt-functionalized filters quickly killed Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria aerosols in vitro, with CFU reductions observed as early as within 5 min, and in vivo by causing structural damage due to salt recrystallization. The salt coatings retained the pathogen inactivation capability at harsh environmental conditions (37 °C and a relative humidity of 70%, 80% and 90%). Combination of these properties in one filter will lead to the production of an effective device, comprehensibly mitigating infection transmission globally.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Respiratory Protective Devices / Sodium Chloride / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Air Filters / Betacoronavirus / Masks / Membranes, Artificial / Anti-Bacterial Agents Type of study: Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Sci Rep Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41598-020-70623-9

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Respiratory Protective Devices / Sodium Chloride / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Air Filters / Betacoronavirus / Masks / Membranes, Artificial / Anti-Bacterial Agents Type of study: Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Sci Rep Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41598-020-70623-9