Zurich,
Switzerland
Switzerland-based
HeiQ, a global leader in textile and materials innovation, has launched HeiQ
MetalliQ, a futuristic-looking, high-tech surgical mask that destroys all
viruses and bacteria tested, up to 100% efficacy.
HeiQ
MetalliQ doesn’t only look metallic. The mask with a patented design actually
contains an ultra-thin pure copper coating applied via a high-tech vapor
deposition process, called HeiQ MetalliX, which converts a minute amount of
copper into vapour, allowing it to be deposited evenly to surround each fibre.
HeiQ MetalliX is a patent-pending technology, created by HeiQ’s innovation
partner, Australian materials technology company, Xefco.Studies conducted by
the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia
(Doherty Institute) showed that fabrics treated by the HeiQ MetalliX technology
significantly deactivated the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that
causes COVID-19) in as little as 5 minutes.
The
testing protocol simulated the 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 5, 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 over 97.79% in five minutes, 99.95% in 15 minutes and over 99.99%
in 30 minutes, relative to the inoculum control.
“Our team of experts continue their vital work
to minimise the impact of the novel coronavirus testing the ability of
different surface treatments to reduce infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is
one way that our research can help provide insights towards helping to stop the
spread of COVID-19,†stated Dr Julie McAuley, Senior Research Officer at the
Doherty Institute.
Copper
is a naturally occurring element, present in the earth’s crust, soil, oceans,
lakes and rivers. It is also a trace element that occurs naturally in all
humans, plants and animals. The antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal
properties of copper have been known for centuries and have been demonstrated
by many laboratory studies. HeiQ MetalliX treated materials release copper ions
which deactivate viruses and bacteria. Treated materials have also been tested
to kill 100% of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae and deactivate
99.95% of H1N1 virus and 99.9% of Human Coronavirus 229E.
Made
in EU, HeiQ MetalliQ is manufactured in HeiQ Medica in Spain where HeiQ also
conducts R&D activities for medical devices. Throughout the development of
the HeiQ MetalliX technology, Xefco worked closely with long-standing research
partner the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) at Deakin University as part
of the world-class ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres, of which HeiQ is also a
member.
“You
can pretty much ‘heiq’ everything to add additional functions to an every-day
product. This time we up our game once again in antiviral protection, with an
upgraded and premium appearance. Spring is calling. As we emerge from lock-down
we want to be extra protected and protect the others. HeiQ MetalliQ is designed
exactly to provide that extra level of confidence. Further, it gives an edgy
look, making it an improved alternative to surgical masks in many ways,â€Â
commented Carlo Centonze, co-founder and CEO of HeiQ Group.