The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has filed a patent for an electrical mask that may kill viruses. As the recent COVID-19 epidemic has shown, viral outbreaks or pandemics can cause a slew of geopolitical, societal, and economic issues. This outbreak has highlighted the necessity for protective clothing, such as facemasks and other protective gear, to protect the general people from exposure. Although some studies demonstrate that a person needs anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand COVID-19 viruses to become infected with the virus, others have shown that as little as ten viral particles can cause a viral infection. It’s also possible that viruses that have accumulated on masks and protective equipment will be transferred to the user’s hands or clothing, resulting in infection. This makes it clear that the effectiveness of protective apparel is of extreme importance and any improvements to this effect may even mean the difference between life and death.
“The work is of interest for the scientific community; it will open new areas to search to provide smart solutions to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mahmoud Al Ahmad, an associate professor of engineering at the University of United Arab Emirates.
He added, ”While the concept will require more development before being applied to PPE, it is an excellent start in this direction.”
This problem is being tackled by a diverse team of researchers from UAE University, led by Dr Mahmoud Al Ahmad. They created and patented a device with two flexible graphene electrodes coupled to a power source such as a battery (which provides a low-rated direct current of 1A to 100mA and a voltage of 3 volts). The two electrodes are interdigitated and fractal, resulting in equal gaps between the electrode “fingers.” This fractal and interdigitated structure enhances the surface area and allows the viruses to make more contact in the gaps. The gadget can be fitted to any type of protective clothing, such as face masks. The spaces are large enough to allow for proper airflow, allowing the user to breathe. The backing material is constructed of flexible plastics or polymers, such as polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) sheets which can conform to the shape of the users face when the facemask is secured.
When the device is turned on, one electrode is charged positively and the other is charged negatively, resulting in a 20MV/m electric field and a current flowing through or across any viruses in or near the gaps. As a result, the viruses are either completely or partially eliminated, or at the very least crippled and rendered harmless. The device settings, such as the current rating and application period, can be changed to make it more efficient against various infections. The device can be attached to any type of protective clothing as well.
The device’s functionality for vaccine development is a second application. The infectivity of the viruses is impacted, and their physiology and communicability are killed, by using an alternating current overlaid with direct bias. It can then be used to develop a vaccine against similar viruses.
Prof. Ahmed Ali Murad, UAE University’s Associate Provost for Research, stated the University promotes and fosters innovation in a variety of sectors. The University, through the Patents and Intellectual Property Unit at the Office, supports researchers and faculty members’ ideas and contributes to the preservation of ideas as well as the registration of researchers’ and university rights through an electronic system that allows the researcher to submit an idea and then have it reviewed scientifically and legally by a legal firm, allowing the idea to be granted a patent within 7 months.
He went on to say that this patent is part of the University’s efforts to develop the best answers to global health concerns, particularly those related to the transmission of viruses and public health protection since health is one of the University’s research strategic goals. He also stated that we are glad and pleased to have contributed to the national effort to preserve community health, and that we are eager to begin marketing this patent as a next step.
