Scientists Develop Virus-Busting Clothing To Keep First Responders Safer

First responders are often left exposed not only to the elements, but viruses as well as they put themselves in risky situations to save people.

Scientists at the University of Alberta are now looking for a way to protect the people who watch over us with a fabric that can kill bacteria and germs.

The material uses N-halamines, a compound that attacks bacteria and viruses quickly. What’s great about this is that this new fabric can be grafted onto the uniforms of soldiers, firefighters, hospital workers, and paramedics. Previously, placing such textiles onto uniforms of any sort had been challenging.

Patricia Dolez, a textiles scientist in the Faculty of Agricultural Life & Environmental Sciences, notes that it can even be added to masks to help keep first responders safe.

Also being developed is a way to “recharge” the clothes and reactivate the compound. The team looks to solve this by dipping the garments into solutions like bleach.

Undoubtedly, the onslaught of the pandemic has sent researchers to find new and innovative ways to keep emergency workers safe from falling victim to such illnesses. 

Of course, its design also allows it to keep soldiers out in the field safe when they do not have access to clean water to wash their uniforms. That being said, the team is also looking at ways for soldiers to clean their clothes quickly. For example, instead of bleach, they might be able to use a powdered solution. The good thing about the fabric is that it does not need to be cleaned daily.

To handle supply chains for various corporate and governmental clients who utilize protective garments globally, Logistik Unicorp Inc., a Canadian business, is working with the researchers. They want to adapt technology to first responders’ requirements.

 
 
 
[via Interesting Engineering and University of Alberta, Photo 1815079 © J A Sottolano | Dreamstime.com]