CHIMIA (Mar 2021)

Keeping SARS-CoV-2 out: Vaccines, Filters, and Self-disinfecting Textiles

  • Dieter Eibl,
  • Trond Heldal,
  • Sebastian E.W. Opitz,
  • Chahan Yeretzian,
  • Sven Hirsch,
  • Stefan Stübinger,
  • Gilles Richner,
  • Nik Keel,
  • Senta Walton,
  • Martin Bachmann,
  • Regine Eibl,
  • Martin Sievers,
  • Christian Adlhart

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2021.215
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 75, no. 3

Abstract

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When the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic started,[1] science came to the immediate attention of the broad public. People and politicians were hanging on every word of medical doctors, virologists, molecular biologists, data scientists and many others in the hope of finding other protective measures than those used for centuries such as basic hygiene, distance, or quarantine. Here, at the Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) we were also willing to provide scientific solutions to overcome the pandemic. Together with our partners from industry, we contributed to the development of a Swiss vaccine, are working on filters for active ventilated full protective suits and are developing tests to show the efficacy and safety of an active antiviral textile that allows controlled virus inactivation through an electrochemical reaction by applying a small current.

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