DEVELOPMENT OF VIRUCID SURFACES ON NEW GENERATION PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS
We are starting the COVIDPRE project focused on the research of virucidal treatments to obtain urban elements with antiviral and antibacterial properties, in order to prevent the development of microorganisms harmful to human health on the surface of the same and, thus, avoid the spread of COVID-19 due to contact between person and infected object. In addition, the development of thin street furniture that can also inactivate COVID-19 on its surface is intended.
Research to better understand the behaviour of the virus has shown that SARS-CoV-2 can remain active and infectious for hours in the air and even for days on some surfaces and inanimate objects, acting as a reservoir of micro-organisms and a potential source of viral transmission. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected on commonly used surfaces days after application, with traces of SARS-CoV-2 being identified up to 9 days after application on steel surfaces. It is therefore important to study mechanisms that reduce the viral load of the virus travelling and accumulating on surfaces in order to reduce the transmission of disease through contact with contaminated surfaces by limiting the ability of micro-organisms to survive on some materials.
The project has a duration of 25 months and will be executed by Prefabricados Montalbán y Rodríguez, S.A. with the collaboration of the Construction Technology Centre of the Region of Murcia (CTCON). It is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the RIS3MUR COVID-19 programme.
