Collaboration with Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN)

SiO2 Innovation Labs Inc. has teamed up with the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) within the University of Waterloo to validate Universal PROTECT-AM efficacy against SARS CoV-2 (Covid-19).

PRESS RELEASE

New research aims to create a surface coating that will kill COVID-19 on contact

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
New research is underway to develop a coating that will kill the COVID-19 virus immediately upon contact with any surface. The antiviral coating could be applied to all personal protective equipment and high-touch surfaces, greatly reducing the risk of community transmission of the virus.

The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) within the University of Waterloo, is working in collaboration with SiO2 Innovation Labs on the research.

“The COVID-19 virus can survive on surfaces for 24 hours or more,” said Sushanta Mitra, Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering and lead researcher on the project. “In order to protect frontline workers and the general public, it’s important that the virus be neutralized immediately when it comes into contact with any surface; our work will culminate in the production of an anti-viral coating that will do just that.”


Mitra’s team has developed an innovative experimental set-up to quantify the adhesion force between the viral load and the coated surface. Mitra is using water droplets to mimic the primary mode of transmission of COVID-19 between humans – droplets of saliva or other bodily fluids. Further testing will determine the coatings' ability to de-activate SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 illness in our populations.

The process for creating the coating is multi-step, involving the development of techniques to durably coat the anti-viral material of different surfaces, understanding the origin of the physical forces between the virus and the coated materials through careful experiments and the development of a computational model and finally the creation of an optimal formulation of the coating materials based on these studies.

“Our history of creating and delivering safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly products is enabling us to meet this historical moment,” said Bruce Johnston, CTO at SiO2 Innovation Labs. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Professor Mitra and WIN in order to bring to market a surface coating that can neutralize pathogens quickly and their subsequent spread. Reduced infection rates will save lives and create safer environments in public and private spaces including homes, the workplace, schools, stores, public transit and hospitality venues”.

This research is multi-faceted and is being conducted by many different researchers at Waterloo including Boxin Zhao, Professor in Chemical Engineering and John Honek, Professor in Chemistry.

The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is Canada’s largest nanotechnology institute committed to UN Sustainable Development Goals and a global leader in discovering and developing smart and functional materials, connected devices, next-generation energy systems and, therapeutics and theranostics.

SiO2 Innovation Labs creates innovative, safe and efficient ultra-thin high-performance commercial and industrial coatings that are manufactured in North America.

This research is supported by both the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Mitacs.

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Media Contact:

Rebecca Elming
226-338-6564
@uwaterloonews
uwaterloo.ca/news


For more information:

SiO2 International Inc.
Bruce Johnston
mobile: 416 707-7171

Improving Glass

Glass is both a unique and commonplace material. Its versatility as a compound is demonstrated by its uses across many industries, including automotive production, aviation, architectural glass, renewable energy (solar panels), construction, electronics, and many more. North American markets are experiencing significant growth while the Chinese markets continued to see increased profits in 2018. It follows that glass coatings represent a major opportunity to further optimize technologies where glass is utilized.

The glass industry faces several production challenges which ultimately affect the quality of its products. For example, glass can be scratched during manufacturing, transportation, handling, and installation; it can be a difficult material to keep clean over time without compromising utility; production machinery typically requires significant maintenance; and application of a protective coating requires multiple steps costing vendors time and money. Furthermore, glass manufacturing processes traditionally involve toxic materials which harm human health and the environment. The resulting product acts as a pollutant over time.

The current standard coating solutions, which are meant to solve these problems, do not sufficiently ensure product quality nor minimize environmental impact. Plastic films applied to glass are costly, difficult to apply, and are easily scratched. Other application processes are highly sensitive and require the use of safety equipment to protect against toxic elements and their high cost is due to their multi-step application techniques.

SiO2 International offers a superior alternative.

Our innovative SiO2 ultra thin coatings are applied to glass surfaces using a single, non-toxic step. These coatings are VOC free, food and skin safe, and environmentally friendly. In contrast with current industry standards, our products are long-lasting and durable, resistant to hydrolysis, frost, vapour cleaners, and oxidation while being easy to clean. Additionally, they resist ultraviolet rays, acid alkaline substances and the caustic nature of diesel and jet fuel while they protect against physical forces such as pressure washing and naturally occurring abrasion.

SiO2 International is at the forefront of glass coating technology. Learn more about our coatings at https://www.sio2international.com/our-coatings/.

Self Cleaning Characteristics

Water Removes a Potentially Sticky Material.

Once concrete is treated with our SiO2 Technology, the surface becomes Self Cleaning. On an untreated concrete surface, the concrete powder would become sticky and adhere to the surface making it extremely difficult to remove. Our treatment allows water to act as a cleaning agent removing soiling elements and keeping the surface clean.

Easy to apply, SiO2 ultra thin coatings self-cleaning properties can protect against soiling elements, acids and environmental decay. Its self cleaning attribute will reduce maintenance costs and will safeguard precious surfaces from sunlight exposure.

Learn more about the natural attributes found in many of our SiO2 coatings.

 

Keeping Buildings and Businesses Cleaner with SiO2 Coatings

SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings – Advanced Surface Protection. Office buildings, airports, hotels, condominiums, banks, hospitals, medical/dental facilities, schools/colleges, retail stores, warehouses, stadiums, gyms, the list is long. Virtually all commercial and public buildings depend on regular maintenance services for both their customers and employees.

Traffic Conditions of a Building

When traffic is introduced, dust, dirt, clay, grit and sand moves around which can abrade a floor surface. The erosive results are compounded when liquid binders, such as petroleum, grease, oil, animal fat and water, are introduced.

Hot Spots within a Building

Hot spots are specific areas of condensed traffic. Examples of these areas are focal points where traffic follows a natural path to a destination causing abrading and staining in that specific area. Hallways, checkouts in grocery and retail stores are considered hot spots. Lobbies and entrance ways, elevators, revolving doors and ticket counters are common areas where hot spots will occur.

Safe and easy to apply, SiO2 Products are water, abrasion and stain resistant (see Our Coatings for natural attributes found in many of our coatings). SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings safeguard the value of an asset by extending its life and reducing maintenance and cleaning costs. SiO2 International’s easy clean products offer an alternative to conventional protective coatings, are more effective and free of chemical, resins, adhesives or toxic substances. In most instances, surfaces need only be cleaned with water to maintain a clean, chemical free environment.

SiO2 Technology’s inherent characteristics include the ability to control problem microbes safely with a sustainable, VOC free, molecular quartz glass coating. Our treatments will lessen the need for chemical cleaners while offering an extra level of protection never before available in the North American market.

Other examples of maintenance surface usage:

  • washroom facilities
  • stainless steel work & food prep tables
  • rubber, stainless & polymer conveyors systems
  • refrigeration seal gaskets
  • shopping carts
  • flooring in public & food prep areas
  • ovens, heat tables & mixing vats
  • exhaust systems
  • hospital emergency units
  • airports
  • stadiums
  • coffee shops

Invisible SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings with Visible Affects

SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings are undetectable as shown in image 2. Our SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) indicates no difference between the two but a distinction is clearly indicated by the super phobic behaviour of the droplet of water. (inset in image 2).

Image 2 is cotton after an applied SIO2 Industrial Textile Coating. Notice the cavities between the fibers remain open to allow the human body to breath and water vapour to escape. SiO2 Technology allows fabrics to behave naturally and add the many characteristics inherent in our Ultra Thin Layering Technology.

Our safe, quartz glass coating completely encapsulates the individual fibers protecting the textile from abrasion, aqueous liquids, oils, solvents, bacteria, mold and mildew, dirt, staining etc. Our SiO2 glass coatings become flexible and will expand up to 200% making it ideal for exterior use and for products that need to breath like fabrics and stone. Once applied, the coating is undetectable and protects the surface for years in some instances.

SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings are effective, durable and anti-microbial. This means no more adhesion of soil and long-lasting protection against adhesion of mould bacteria and considerable reduction of chemicals used for cleaning. In most instances, surfaces need only be cleaned with water to maintain a clean, chemical free environment.

Our coatings do not change the color or finish of your surface.

SiO2 Coatings are quick and easy to apply by spraying, wiping or dipping the article to be treated. No special equipment or vacuum chambers are needed. Our SiO2 Textile Industrial is utilized during the manufacturing process. It requires heat to cure. Protected surfaces become superhydrophobic and superoleophobic, and resistant to staining and abrasion. Because our glass layers will allow treated substrates to breath, application to stone (e.g., concrete, marble, limestone, travertine, granite) and wood is also possible.

 

Paper & Cardboard – Difficult Surfaces

Our invisible SiO2 Paper PROTECT performs better than any solvent or water-based product used in the paper industry today.

Water repellency for paper products is generally derived from solvent based coatings as the cellulose fiber doesn’t react to solvents. Solvent coatings can be effective, but they can be toxic and can’t be used for many paper products i.e. food containers. A safe alternative coating that can resist water absorption, is needed.

SiO2 International Inc. has found the answer. We’ve developed a superior water-based technology that is undetectable, will keep paper dry, safe to use and distortion free. Our invisible SiO2 Paper PROTECT performs better than any solvent or water-based product used for the paper industry today. Our coating can be used in food packaging, health care, cosmetic and many other industries that requires a safe alternative to older solvent based coatings.

Cobb Testing validates our claims.

Independently tested by a 3rd party lab.                  59.2 g eau/m²