STTR Phase I: Rapid Acting Disinfectant Spray for Slowing the Spread of COVID-19

  • Funded by National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Total publications:0 publications

Grant number: unknown

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19
  • Start & end year

    2020
    2021
  • Known Financial Commitments (USD)

    $255,536
  • Funder

    National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Principal Investigator

    Christina Drake
  • Research Location

    United States of America
  • Lead Research Institution

    KISMET TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A
  • Research Category

    Infection prevention and control

  • Research Subcategory

    Barriers, PPE, environmental, animal and vector control measures

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Not Applicable

  • Vulnerable Population

    Not applicable

  • Occupations of Interest

    Not applicable

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project is development of a disinfectant spray to curb the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via contact with contaminated surfaces. COVID-19 transmission occurs primarily via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person and by contact with a surface where a droplet containing the virus exists. Mitigating infection by contact with surfaces is a measure that will slow the spread of novel viruses ahead of development of a vaccine or other protective measures. In conjunction with other measures, a novel disinfectant will support public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current disinfectants require times ranging from 30 seconds to 10 minutes for disinfection to begin after application and do not continue to disinfect. The proposed technology creates a temporary, continually disinfecting film that remains on the application surface.

This STTR Phase I project will demonstrate both the rapid performance of a novel spray and its ability to form a temporary and continually disinfecting film post=application. This technology employs a select medium containing fast-response doped nanoceria where the oxidizing response/mechanism is engineered to perform several disinfectant reactions in parallel. A safe, rapid, multi-disinfectant approach using engineered nanoceria has not previously been demonstrated for use. The project will also demonstrate the post-application disinfection properties. The goals of this project will be achieved with the following: 1) development of an anti-viral, multi-mechanism disinfectant formulation, 2) demonstration of efficacy and safety, 3) study of product stability, and 4) demonstration of temporary film formation, stability, and activity.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.