Sean Tarry Writes.

Team of scientists on the cusp of developing more effective way to fight harmful disease and pathogens

When it comes to sickness and ailments plaguing the general public at any time during any given year, one of the most harmful and pervasive causes are antibiotic-resistant pathogens that spread easily and quickly, from one host to the next, infecting otherwise healthy homes and workspaces. Their ease and speed of contamination is alarming, and often lead to outbreaks and epidemics causing illness and death. However, thanks to Dr. Ronnie Banerjee and their team, we may now have a new means by which to combat against the spread of these nasty pathogens.

Sanitizing high-touch surfaces

Banerjee, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Windsor, along with collaborators from The Trant Team, recently completed the development of a unique material that they engineered that may serve to significantly limit the spread of disease and pathogens, while also helping to revolutionize the ways in which high-touch surfaces and areas of contact are cleaned and disinfected. Surfaces such as handrails, doorknobs, elevator buttons, and so many others, are notorious agents or holders of these harmful pathogens. Banerjee’s invention may change that forever.

Where it started

The genesis of the breakthrough happened during the initial onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic. As a result of the very serious nature of the pandemic’s spread, and the immediate recognition of the importance of disinfecting common areas, Banerjee and The Trant Team, which is a dedicated research group focused on the study and development of synthetic bioorganic materials, aimed their efforts at improving sanitizing practices and protocols.

Solving traditional challenges

One of the more significant issues that Banerjee and the team noticed was the fact that traditional sanitization methods require the frequent use of bleach, applying it or similar compounds over and again. It’s a job that’s required to be done multiple times throughout the day. This results in what Banerjee considers to be needless time spent, as well as the erosion of the surfaces in question, which could then lead to an environment more suitable to the gathering and spread of harmful pathogens.

A durable material

After months of research, and help from the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the team of researchers were able to engineer a material that leverages copper’s natural germicidal properties, enabling easy and seamless application of the material to a wide range of other surfaces. In addition, the material is durable and, because copper nanoparticles are electrostatically attracted to the cell walls of pathogens, they are able to infiltrate pathogens, weakening them, breaking them down to obsolescence.

The material that the team created, which combines ionic (salt-based) fluids and copper nanoparticles, has proven to be incredibly successful and can be used to coat surfaces, providing germ-free protection that lasts far longer than conventional bleach-based cleaning.

Continued testing and research

Banerjee admits that there remain a number of questions related to the copper-based material that need to be addressed. For instance, the team has yet to determine exactly how long the material remains effective for against pathogens, or its effectiveness as compared to the antimicrobial effects of other nanoparticles like zinc and iron. However, as research and testing continues, it seems only a matter of time before these questions, and others, are answered.