Abstract: The Air Force has identified a critical need to address the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically reducing COVID-19 spread in environments where Airmen operate (e.g., patient transfer mobility aircraft). To address this need, Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratories at Boston University (NEIDL/BU) are developing an antimicrobial coating, and demonstrating its effectiveness on evacuation litter products and blood pressure monitoring equipment. PSI is coating multiple medical equipment materials with a permanently attached, broad-spectrum antimicrobial technology. The coating is being optimized to achieve high levels of viral reduction within a short amount of time. The robustness of coating in litter operation is being evaluated upon weathering, abrasion, and cleaning. We will present the results to date that indicate strong attachment of the antimicrobial coating to surfaces of NATO evacuation litter and blood pressure cuff materials. The coating process was optimized to provide uniform and high-density coverage across all materials. Formulations for both bath and spray coating processes have been developed. All coated materials showed antiviral activity high efficacy (up to 5.5-log reduction, >99.999% kill efficiency) against a COVID-19 surrogate, Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). We will also present background information on the coating antimicrobial (AM) activity on textile, metal and plastic surfaces with broad spectrum efficacy against bacteria,+ spores, fungi and viruses. The AM coating demonstrated greater than 99-99.999% kill efficiency against: (a) antibiotic-resistant bacteria:
C. Diff. (both vegetative cells and spores),
MRSA, (b) sterilization resistant spores (
Bacillus, sp.), (c) clean room bacteria (
B. atrophaeus), (d) Gram-positive bacteria (
S. Aureus, S. Epidermis), (e) Gram-negative bacteria (
E.Coli), (f) fungus (
C. Albicans) and (g) non-enveloped viruses (
MS2). Biocompatibility of fabric coupons was also demonstrated with no cytotoxicity or skin irritation. We will provide an overview of the production and test methodologies, and discuss the ongoing efforts and next steps.
Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Defense under Award AF20R-DCSO1
Disclaimer: This abstract was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.
