TEXTILES.ORG
Global materials innovator, HeiQ, has launched HeiQ MetalliQ, a surgical mask technology that destroys viruses and bacteria tested, as much as 100 percent efficacy. The mask contains an ultra-thin pure copper coating applied via a high-tech vapor deposition process, which converts a minute amount of copper into vapor, allowing it to be deposited evenly to surround each fiber.
The patent-pending technology was created by Australian materials technology company Xefco. Studies conducted by the Doherty Institute in Melbourne have verified its efficacy, according to HeiQ. The Institute’s tests indicate that the technology significantly deactivated the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) in as little as five minutes.
The testing protocol simulated real-life interaction of aerosol droplets contaminating textile products, such as face masks. Each sample was exposed to a high loading of SARS-CoV-2 followed by five, 15 and 30 minutes incubation at room temperature before the amount of remaining infectious SARS-CoV-2 viruses was measured.
The fabric samples treated with HeiQ MetalliX indicated a virus reduction of more than 97.79 percent in five minutes, 99.95 percent in 15 minutes and more than 99.99 percent in 30 minutes, relative to the inoculum control.