With everyone having realised that we have to live with the coronavirus for some more months now, researchers are finding various ways and means of securing lives. If healthcare scientists are busy working out new vaccines, those in technology are researching about the type of clothes one should wear, and the way homes and offices should be sanitised so that coronavirus can be kept at bay.
Textile industry
Suiting brand Donear has come up with an anti-viral fabric, that is 99.99 per cent effective against Corona. "We are using NEO TECH® technology that provides a shield against bacteria and viruses alike. The fabric is powered up with an intelligent textile technology called HeiQViroblock NPJ03 that is among the first textile technologies in the world to be proven and certified effective against SARS-CoV-2. Tests conducted in Melbourne showed that treated fabric achieved 99.99 per cent reduction of the virus," says Rajendra Agarwal, Managing Director, Donear Industries Ltd.
"What sets our product apart is that it kills the viruses and microbes within minutes, thereby reducing the risk of contamination drastically. It has been tested and certified by various world-renowned labs, including the prestigious ISO 18184 rapid test," says Carlo Centonze, CEO, HeiQ Group, Australia.
"We are using this technology on poly-viscose and worsted fabric. Usually a virus remains on fabric for two days, but our treatment kills it within minutes. It has no side effects and is env-friendly," says Agarwal.
Neo tech fabric is being sold under all the three sister brands, Grado, OCM and Donear. “We are also selling the fabric to all the other brands in India and abroad, and also over the counter,” informs Agarwal.
Disinfection services
Delhi-based start-up GermCops has launched its disinfection service for residences, offices and vehicles in Delhi NCR. Manufactured and certified in US, the disinfectant is safe for humans and pets, and since it is water-based there is no fear of it catching fire. It is touted as India’s first disinfection service with 99.9 per cent germ killing rate, and the one that kills germs for 30-120 days.
The disinfectant, manufactured and certified in the US, can be used for a wide range of surfaces like metallic, non-metallic, tiles, glasses, even leather. "With people resuming work in the 'new normal', it is essential for organisations to give utmost priority to health and safety of their staff," says Ananya Goyal, Director, GermCops.
Self-sanitising masks
Lohia Health has come up with self-sanitising face masks based on SilverPro technology. These masks are coated with European Nano Silver formulation that instantly kills bacteria and viruses that come in contact. The four-ply organic cotton mask with a special silver solution coating makes it as effective as an N95 mask, but with higher breathability.
The efficacy lasts for up to 30 washes. These masks are 100 per cent biodegradable and use melt-blown fabric for bacteria, pollution and dust filtration. "The technology has been developed at a lab in Europe. One mask can be easily used for six months. Since it is self-sanitising, it needs to be washed only when it gets dirty," says Saumya Lohia Agarwal, Head of Strategy, Lohia Health.
"With the silver coating on each layer, there is no problem if the wearer touches the outer surface, unlike in an N95 mask," she adds.
Coating your surfaces
Covicover is a product that forms a long lasting anti-microbial coating on surfaces. The product, based on nano-technology developed in US, is manufactured by Gurugram-based Organic 121 and marketed by a Health Hygiene and Safety initiative, Foray Solar. It is applicable to many types of surfaces, even textile and leather.
The solution contains unique antimicrobial complex, which attracts microbes and kills them while preventing them from breeding on communal touch-points (home or in office), and even on your personal items like laptop or hand phone for up to 90 days. "The good thing is you don’t have to depend on anyone to secure your area. Just buy it and follow the written instructions on how to apply it on surfaces," says Ajeet Saxena, Director, Foray Solar.