Reusable Antimicrobial Mask Neutralizes Close to 99% of Coronavirus Even After 100 Washings

A metal-oxide infused washable facemask destroyed more than 90% of the novel coronavirus and was proven to be 99.89% effective against other viruses in laboratory studies, even up to 100 washings.

The cotton-polyester facemask infused with metal-oxide nanoparticles which are known to destroy bacteria and fungi was launched by Sonovia Ltd. (Ramat Gan, Israel) commercially at the beginning of March. The company performed tests of the anti-pathogen, anti-bacterial fabric used in its masks in China in accordance with international standards for determining anti-viral activity of textile products. In the study, the washable fabric proved to be more than 90% effective against coronaviruses and 99.89% effective against other viruses, even up to 100 washings. In previous tests of the material at Austria's HygCen medical lab using the Vaccinia virus, which has similar properties to the SARS-COVID family, the fabric demonstrated "a good virucidal effect."

The almost-permanent, ultrasonic, fabric-finishing technology for mechanical impregnation of zinc oxide nanoparticles into textiles was developed at Bar-Ilan University. The ultrasound-based technology uses a process called cavitation to durably coat the individual textile fibers with the company’s carefully engineered solutions. This ensures that the fabric stay protective for longer and allows them to be reusable and washable. The generation of sound waves of precise-frequency acting upon Sonovia’s dedicated factory system media creates cavitation bubbles of high pressure and temperature extremes, resulting in the genesis of the company’s carefully calibrated nano-particles. When the cavitation bubbles implode, jet-streams are created that force the nano-particles into the textile surfaces at very high speeds and densities for permanent fixation.

The fabric can also be used in textiles for hospitals, protective equipment and clothing, and the company is now reportedly conducting a pilot in Italy to use its material in private and public transportation vehicles. Sonovia is also awaiting a significant series of tests of its fabric in a German government-certified laboratory.

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