IIT Madras-incubated Start-up Muse Wearables is developing novel and scalable methods for coating textiles with nanoparticles-based antimicrobial agents that can 'inactivate' the human Coronavirus on contact.
These coatings are expected to be effective up to 60 wash cycles, thereby making the textiles re-usable. The coated textiles can be primarily used to manufacture N95 masks, surgical masks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and food packaging bags, among others, with inherent properties of inactivating the coronavirus.
The nano-particles coated textiles have anti-microbial properties and it does not leach while washing in water. It is also non-toxic in nature. At present the particles can be coated on materials like cotton, polyester and cotton - polyester and more fabrics will be tested soon.
Muse Wearables' current pilot machine can coat textiles of length up to 100 metres within a few minutes, thereby making it a viable commercial solution that can be deployed immediately. Muse Wearables was incubated by IIT Madras Incubation Cell.
Dr. Tamaswati Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer of IIT Madras Incubation Cell, said, "We are very proud of our startups who are working on a range of products that are vital to India's fight against COVID-19, from N95 masks to intubation boxes and ventilators to affordable testing kits. They have quickly mobilized and repurposed their offerings in response to the situation and are striving to make a positive contribution to the nation's anti-virus efforts."
Currently, Muse Wearables is assembling the coating machine and will shortly commence coating various textiles with different nanoparticle solutions. Their coated textile is expected to be ready for testing by the first week of May 2020. The start-up is also partnering with a mask manufacturing company to launch five-layered Antiviral N95 Masks at an estimated price of Rs. 300 per piece.
Highlighting the unique aspects of these nano-particles coated textiles, Mr. K.L.N. Sai Prasanth, Chief Executive Officer, Conzumex Industries, which operates the brand 'Muse Wearables' said, "Our solution tries to solve the current pandemic problem at the root level by inactivating coronavirus permanently. As soon as it comes in contact with the coated nanoparticles, its structure is permanently destroyed by the nanoparticles. For example, people using masks made by our coated textiles will not transmit the virus to others or have less chances of the virus getting transmitted to them."
Further, Mr. Sai Prasanth added, "Our coating process is scalable, which means it can be deployed in any textile industry as a textile finishing process. The solution we are developing are not confined to a research laboratory but can be used for commercial purposes."
Speaking about future plans, Mr. K.L.N. Sai Prasanth said, "With our current technology development, we have the opportunity to apply for nine patents in the area of activated textiles. We are now looking to partner with various labs that can test the efficacy of our Coated textiles on Novel Coronavirus. Once we find the right lab, we will send samples to measure the surface decay rate of Novel Coronavirus on the coated and uncoated textiles. Once we get certified, we will start the mass production of the coated textiles to be used in various applications."
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