The world’s first anti-pathogen stainless steel that kills infectious viruses, including COVID-19, on its surface is created using significant amounts of copper.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have created a “new metal” able to reduce 99.75% of viable COVID-19 on its surface within 3 hours, 99.99% within 6 hours, and with no trace of the virus present after 24 hours. The metal also kills the H1N1 influenza A virus — the virus strain behind swine flu — and E. coli bacteria.
The high copper content of the new metal means that it “exhibits significant antiviral properties,” according to the researchers.
Evidence shows that large virus-laden droplets and direct or indirect contact with touching surfaces contaminated by respiratory secretions can be critical paths for COVID-19, posing a high risk of virus transmission via surface touching in public areas.
Stainless steel is popular in public spaces like hospitals or public transport because of its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and workability, but it currently doesn’t have any antimicrobial properties.
The team has been liaising with industrial partners to create prototypes of public stainless steel products such as lift buttons, doorknobs, and handrails for further tests and trials.