Optically enhanced antiviral transparent screen protection

Society requires new solutions to reduce the probability of COVID-19 cross-infection as people resume their daily lives. However, common touch surfaces have been shown to contain significant viral and microbial contamination. The SARS-CoV-2 virus can be present on plastic and glass surfaces for several days and multiple users of the same touch surfaces creates a continuous biological load that leads to cross-contamination, despite periodic cleaning.

A new form of transparent coating has been developed using vacuum coating that is extremely biocidal and will be combined with anti-reflection characteristics. These new anti-reflective, anti-viral coatings will be tested for two applications. The first application is to utilise these coatings for reusable face visors and goggles to afford clear vision with continuous self-cleaning effect and reduce skin irritation from chemical cleaning. The second application will test the coating on ticket machines used widely in transport and thus break chains of transmission arising from numerous people touching the same surface.