Bank notes, photocopiers could help check epidemics

Applying antiviral coating on bank notes, vending machines and photocopiers could help fight epidemics, scientists say.

Applying antiviral coating on bank notes, vending machines and photocopiers could help fight epidemics, scientists say.

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Materials researcher Guagang Ren at Queen Mary college, University of London, has discovered a coating of metal, metal oxide and ceramic nanoparticles that have strong antiviral properties, reported the online edition of New Scientist.

Applying the coatings to buttons on vending machines, workplace photocopiers and fax machines could limit the spread of viruses, Ren said.

Ren, who has joined forces with Britain-based Qinetiq Nanomaterials and London research firm Retroscreen Virology, hopes to create a facemask impregnated with particles to destroy certain airborne viruses before people breathe them in.