Antimicrobial filters for hospital air and water systems
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Hertfordshire
Department Name: School of Engineering and Technology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
- University of Hertfordshire (Lead Research Organisation)
- QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE (Collaboration)
- Royal Veterinary College (RVC) (Collaboration)
- University of Hertfordshire (Collaboration)
- Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC) (Collaboration)
Publications
Ahmed J
(2019)
Anti-fungal bandages containing cinnamon extract.
in International wound journal
Alotaibi H
(2023)
Sustainable ?-cyclodextrin frameworks containing ultra-fine silver nanoparticles with enhanced antimicrobial efficacy.
in Carbohydrate polymers
Altun E
(2018)
Co-Culture of Keratinocyte- Staphylococcus aureus on Cu-Ag-Zn/CuO and Cu-Ag-W Nanoparticle Loaded Bacterial Cellulose:PMMA Bandages
in Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
Altun, E
(2021)
Metal-based nanoparticles for combating antibiotic resistance
in Applied Physics Reviews
Aydogdu MO
(2021)
Surface interactions and viability of coronaviruses.
in Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
Bankier C
(2018)
A comparison of methods to assess the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticle combinations on bacterial cells
in PLOS ONE
Bankier C
(2019)
Synergistic Antibacterial Effects of Metallic Nanoparticle Combinations.
in Scientific reports
Cam ME
(2020)
A novel treatment strategy for preterm birth: Intra-vaginal progesterone-loaded fibrous patches.
in International journal of pharmaceutics
Cheong Y
(2017)
Biological evaluations of novel 2,3,3-Trisphosphonate in osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities
in General Medicine Open
Cheong Y
(2020)
Synergistic Antifungal Study of PEGylated Graphene Oxides and Copper Nanoparticles against Candida albicans
in Nanomaterials
Cheong Y.-K.
(2017)
Nano Bio & Med
Cheong Y.-K.
(2017)
Biological evaluations of novel 2,3,3-Trisphosphonate in osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities
in General Medicine Open
Cheong YK
(2017)
Characterisation of the Chemical Composition and Structural Features of Novel Antimicrobial Nanoparticles.
in Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
Cheong, Y.-K.
(2017)
Nano Bio & Med
Chung E
(2023)
Applied Methods to Assess the Antimicrobial Activity of Metallic-Based Nanoparticles
in Bioengineering
Du Z
(2022)
Nano-CuO causes cell damage through activation of dose-dependent autophagy and mitochondrial lncCyt b-AS/ND5-AS/ND6-AS in SH-SY5Y cells.
in Toxicology mechanisms and methods
Eranka Illangakoon U
(2017)
Gyrospun antimicrobial nanoparticle loaded fibrous polymeric filters.
in Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications
Graham SP
(2021)
Antiviral Efficacy of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles against the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus.
in Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
Khan M
(2022)
Efficacy of Green Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Potential Therapeutic Applications: Circumstantial Insight on Mechanistic Aspects.
in Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
Li J
(2020)
AVNP2 protects against cognitive impairments induced by C6 glioma by suppressing tumour associated inflammation in rats.
in Brain, behavior, and immunity
Li K
(2019)
Pretreatment-Etidronate Alleviates CoCl2 Induced-SH-SY5Y Cell Apoptosis via Decreased HIF-1a and TRPC5 Channel Proteins.
in Neurochemical research
Li W
(2017)
Etidronate rescues cognitive deficits through improving synaptic transmission and suppressing apoptosis in 2-vessel occlusion model rats.
in Journal of neurochemistry
Liu Z
(2020)
TRPC6-Mediated Ca2+ Entry Essential for the Regulation of Nano-ZnO Induced Autophagy in SH-SY5Y Cells.
in Neurochemical research
Loic Coudron
(2019)
Proceedings of Abstracts Engineering and Computer Science Research Conference 2019
in Engineering and Computer Science Research Conference, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, 17/04/19
Loya A
(2022)
Comparative molecular dynamics simulations of thermal conductivities of aqueous and hydrocarbon nanofluids.
in Beilstein journal of nanotechnology
Loya A
(2022)
Molecular dynamics simulation on surface modification of quantum scaled CuO nano-clusters to support their experimental studies.
in Scientific reports
Matharu RK
(2020)
Comparative Study of the Antimicrobial Effects of Tungsten Nanoparticles and Tungsten Nanocomposite Fibres on Hospital Acquired Bacterial and Viral Pathogens.
in Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
Matharu RK
(2022)
Exploiting the antiviral potential of intermetallic nanoparticles.
in Emergent materials
Miranda A
(2022)
pH Alteration in Plant-Mediated Green Synthesis and Its Resultant Impact on Antimicrobial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs).
in Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
Mu H
(2023)
Dual functional mesoporous silica colloidal electrolyte for lithium-oxygen batteries
in Chemical Engineering Journal
Nan L
(2016)
Antibacterial Performance of Cu-Bearing Stainless Steel against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Whole Milk
in Journal of Materials Science & Technology
Ren L
(2016)
A novel coping metal material CoCrCu alloy fabricated by selective laser melting with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties.
in Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications
Spinthakis N
(2019)
Impaired endogenous fibrinolysis at high shear using a point-of-care test in STEMI is associated with alterations in clot architecture.
in Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis
Yang X
(2021)
Exploitation of Antimicrobial Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Biomedical Engineering
in Applied Sciences
| Title | Antimicrobial nanoparticles could be used in personal facemask. Prof John Oxford, a well-known virologist and I are having a discussion to progress the antiviral facemask forward for a UKRI proposal. |
| Description | Face-masks could be as an artistic & creative facial product, and Prof John Oxford has long been looking at them and now he would like to bring it alive. The idea is doing two things: 1) Directly spray the antiviral nanoparticles to med-layer of face mask. 2) To propose to develop an antiviral pad as a complimentary for supporting current face mask. |
| Type Of Art | Composition/Score |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | Antimicrobial face-mask with the artistic or creative fashion will be easier to be accepted by publics working in hospitals, public places and public transportation systems. It will be particularly very useful when in flu pandemics. |
| Description | During 2017-18 we had centred our investigation on the dispersion process and optimisation of the selected multi-elemental nanoparticles or intermetallic nanoparticles. The key finding is that these optimised multi-elemental antimicrobial nanoparticles (OM-AMNP) generated enormous antiviral/antimicrobial potencies in comparison to other metal-based antimicrobial materials. Their standard viral and MIC bacterial test results not only showed an excellent synergistic efficacy (99.99%) against Flu viruses but also demonstrated significant bacterial killing effects (99.999% in MIC assay) against G(+-) bacteria, such as MRSA, A. Baumannii, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, E.coli, and some of the fungus. Importantly, these nanoparticles are still active even embedding in the gyration sub-micron fibres that aimed use in filtration pads for hospital operation theatres and other potential medical and healthcare applications. This key finding has been in-line with Antiviral Nanoparticles (AVNP) developed by the AVNP Consortium (led by QinetiQ, funded by DTI £3.2M) during 2005-10 in which the graphene-graphite based multi-elemental composition provided enhanced antiviral efficacy (viral killing rate reached 99.99%). AVNP2 provided a high antiviral efficacy (99.96%-99.997%) in killing a spectrum of viruses covering SARS, Flu viruses (H5N1, H7N1), FCV, Noroviruses and PRRSV (this finding is going to be reported in our next paper (in preparation). This 2nd generation-AVNP2 can also killing bacteria (99.999%) against MRSA, A. Baumannii, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, E.coli, etc. We have characterised during the project period the past antiviral and antimicrobial nanomaterials (AVNPs and AMNPs) using chemical and physical analytical facilities through EPSRC provided analytical facilities in other universities, and the outcomes showed that AVNP made by plasma forming could give a much better-sustained dispersion in water (>2 hours before a total precipitation while pure nanoparticles would precipitate within 5-30min in the sizes range from 10-75 nm in suspensions). Other important factors have continuously been un-rolled that the AVNP nanoparticles contained only 3-6% metal alloys that wrapped by graphite or graphene sp2 layered structures, which enhanced designable lengthy suspension stability for the AVNP in water or saline while potentiated their antimicrobial performance tremendously. Over the past 3 years, we have investigated over 18 standard alone nano-materials and 14 variations of antimicrobial nanoparticle formulations (AMNP2, AMNP8.1 and 9.1) that were composed of the customised ratio of silver, copper and zinc, etc. All standard alone nano-materials were structurally characterised using a combination of imaging and analytical techniques. We also analysed the precise chemical compositions and some of their physio-chemical behaviours in aqueous formation. In the processes, a volume of analytical results of the materials along with their corresponding antimicrobial studies has been collected in our research library for some future references. During the extensive antimicrobial exploration of a range of nanomaterials, we also found some of the commercially available intermetallic alloy nanoparticles were particularly effective against Gram-negative bacteria which matched our hypothesis from the original proposal in which the engineered AVNP nano-intermetallic formulations played a critical role in the microbe inhibitions. Here, a super antimicrobial formation (AMNP8.1) was successfully created, along with its incorporation into the polymeric fibre using the gyration process. Both products (AVNP/AMNP8.1) were proofed to effectively kill (> 98-99.99%) against two targeted Gram+/- bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) commonly found in Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Scale-up production trails of these super-formulated antimicrobial filters have been routinely carried out with the analytical methods established by the team member to monitor and validate the quality of the gyration fibre pads produced for both water and air filtrations. Also, leaching analysis has also proven to be within a standard safety threshold of ionic concentration in a real application of the water system. Although the majority of the objectives has been achieved, the AMNP8.1- 9.1 (super formulation) assay against two proposed viruses (Adenovirus and Influenza A) are still under testing waiting for the results. The antiviral evaluation of the filtration system is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019 or before the end of the expanded award (July 2019). We are planning to look at the more spectrums of viral phenotype particles such as coronaviruses that structurally are very similar to the SARS viruses. We are looking for research partners and funding that could help and support our antiviral nanoparticles antiviral tests against COVID19 coronaviruses. The difficulty is that it is very expensive to get viral tests done and we will need funding support for further development towards some very interesting applications. |
| Exploitation Route | Our findings of multi-elemental metal alloy nanoparticles (namely AMNP8.1-8.2) are now chosen by the EPSRC AMF consortium as the key antimicrobial ingredients to be incorporated into the proposed filter pads. The AMNP incorporation processes for the filter pad fibres/fabrics has been fulfilled by a fast and low-cost gyration process developed by our UCL partners. The initial tests on the antimicrobial filters shown maximum 50-70% bacterial killing rates using the optimised antimicrobial nanoparticles. The first part of an antimicrobial study using AMNP 2 have already been published in 2017 (see references). Two of these nanoparticle formulations were found not only effective to bacteria but also be generically effective against other pathogenic viral-species (i.e. SARS coronavirus, Avian influenza virus (H5N1), Uukuniemi virus, Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). We are particularly interested in the biological mechanisms and physiochemical interactions between the microbes and the nanoparticles. Cryogenic TEM images had been initially carried out by a collaborator from Oxford Biological Structure Imaging Centre, however more sophisticated biological assays are required to understand the in-deep philosophy and involvement in the microbe-killing and inhibition actions that occurred in our research. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | http://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/characterisation-of-chemical-composition-and-structural-features-of-novel-antimicrobial-nanoparticles(181ca0b1-01c0-4bb5-a414-ff5cec6a40db).html |
| Description | Impact (2020): Antiviral nanoparticles (AVNPs) protects against cognitive impairments induced by C6 glioma by suppressing tumour-associated inflammation in rats. Antiviral antimicrobial nanoparticles (AVNP) that were engineered using plasma and microwave process during the EPSRC project (EP/N034368/1-EP/N034228/1, £950K) had undergone animal tests for the first time. The AVNPs consisted of graphitic carbons conjugated with intermetallic Silver-Copper-Tungsten that was designed with an antiviral purpose for water and air filtration fabrics, have proven to also reduce tumour sizes and suppress tumour-associated inflammations in rat models. This further research on the animal CNS disease investigation was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81771979) which brought a big step forward on introducing antimicrobial & antiviral nanoparticles in administration in mammalian tissues at a very concentration level <2-5ppm. Impacts (2019) A number of the highly efficient antimicrobial filters has been assembled or prototypes produced by incorporating our novel nanoparticle formulations into PMMA/PLA gyration fibres. Both nanoparticles and the gyration spooned nanoparticle-polymer hybrid fibres showed excellent antimicrobial efficacy against pathogens commonly found in Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus (a Gram-positive bacteria) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a Gram-negative bacteria). These experimentally tested filters showed great potential for the antimicrobial filtration system proven suitable for the water filtration as a first step progression. In addition to its feasible applications in both water and air filtration systems, our leaching study results suggested the antimicrobial nanoparticle formulations have an extremely low leaching rate (e.g. M2+< 3 ppm of concentration from the ions leached from nano-samples) in which the toxicity kept within the standard threshold limitation of the water system (M+<8-10 ppm). In one word, the application of such antimicrobial filter would not affect the quality of with drinking water. We are looking funding to support our applications in a number of antiviral fields and we are considering the antiviral tests needed for realise these applications. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Construction,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Environment,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Security and Diplomacy |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | GCRF AgriFood Africa Innovation Awards Round 3 |
| Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | International Exchanges 2020 Cost Share (NSFC) |
| Amount | £24,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IEC\NSFC\201155 |
| Organisation | The International Exchange |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Title | Antimicrobial formulation creations |
| Description | Seven novel Antimicrobial formulations (AMNP 1-7) were created using either the Tesima thermal plasma technology or high power ultrasonic dispersion method. These synthetic composites consisted of multi-elemental components (i.e. carbon, tungsten, copper and silver) in particle sizes ranging from 10 - 50 nm. Within these formulations, especially in the case of dispersing Silver particles in aqueous suspension, surface treatments were performed using diluted ammonium hydroxide. This treatment method was found highly efficient, additional 50 uL of diluted ammonium hydroxide solution (0.3%) totally dispersed 1% wt/v aqueous Silver after ultra power sonication. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | So far, these newly synthesized nanoparticle composites (AMNP 1-7) have proven to exhibit excellent antimicrobial effect in P. aeruginosa (Gram-ve bacteria). In particular AMNP4 and AMNP6 showed to reach 99.99% (log ratio) of killing rate at concentration 0.1 %. Preliminary data suggested that antimicrobial effect was enhanced by the presence of multi-elemental composites contained in these samples, the data also suggested high dosage of Silver particles is not necessary. An overview of the investigation implied optimal antimicrobial affects on particular microbes can be manipulated by applying the correct ratio of metals components in a formulation. The differentiation in metal ratio present in these formulations also implied a reduction of toxicity levels can be achieved, which has always been a major concern of using Silver nanoparticles in healthcare applications. |
| Title | Antimicrobial nanoparticles leaching study using ICP-OES |
| Description | Inductive Coupled Plasma equipped with optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) is a highly sensitive piece of equipment to detect, trace and quantify the presence of metal ions in liquid samples. This instrument can trace presence of heavy metal down to part per million scales (ppm). A very thorough method has now established by our research team to quantify concentrations of silver, copper and zinc ions that are saturated in aqueous supernatant formed by different nanoparticle suspensions. Our result has shown only 3 ppm (max.) of ion concentration was leached into the water solution when dispersed nanoparticle suspensions at a concentration of 1000 ppm were left standing at room temperature for 24 hours. |
| Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This method is now developed as a standard leaching protocol for antimicrobial water filters that we are aiming to develop in the awarded project. The idea and method were presented in an international conference (Nanobio & Med 2017) with the title: "Structural characterisation of antimicrobial Copper oxides and its leaching study using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)" and it is published by Phantoms foundation. ISBN (Electronic) 978-84-697-7905-7, p. 156-157. |
| URL | http://www.nanobiomedconf.com/NBM17/Book.php |
| Title | Automated nanoparticle dispersion process with spontaneous particle sizes measurement |
| Description | A computer controlled multi-channel mixer pump utilized with a high power sonicator probe, which is equipped with a nanoparticle tracking analyser. This comprehensive instrument allows different flow rate and variation of nanoparticle concentrations to be programmed. The resulting dispersion can be visualized at real-time using NTA. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This piece of equipment schematically provide good demonstration to introduce Nanoparticle dispersion process. It had been illustrated in presentations and posters in various engagement events. |
| Title | Development of multi-scaled physical and chemical characterization mythologies for finding and optimization the best formulations of anitmicrobial nanoparticles for inhibiting microbes |
| Description | Characterization of chemical composition and structural features of novel antimicrobial nanoparticles: During the process, 3 antimicrobial nanoparticles (AMNP0-2^TesimaTM) were investigated using a combination of analytical methods: SEM/TEM, XRD, XPS, NMR, FTIR and Raman. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Once the results published, it will be possible to generate new activities on further characterization of the existing functional nanoparticles. |
| Title | Nanosight |
| Description | The instrument could observe some very important factors for nanoparticles biological application in terms of AMNP's particle size distribution, dispersion uniformity and concentration in the suspension, which are some of the vital information for the effectiveness of the bio-functions generated by nanoparticles. |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Will provide this useful tool for partners biological tests such as viral particles distribution and precipitation and precipitation ratio, and many other phenomenon, etc. |
| Title | Real-time nanoparticle tracking analysis (an advance sizing technology) using dynamic light scattering method |
| Description | A highly sensitive method to track nanoparticles and to measure their sizes together with their concentrations in suspensions using a Nanosight instrument by Malvern. Results generated using this instrument can be combined with analytical data obtained from the Zetasiser for parallel study. |
| Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The majority of this technique is used for analysing organic components such as small drug molecules and proteins macromolecules to detect their sizes distributions and aggregation properties. However, this method is rarely used to analyse metallic based particles due to lack of method establishment. |
| Title | Ultra-sonication mixing process (continues and automated) |
| Description | To replace the conventional nanoparticle dispersing process using high power sonication probe standard alone, we have recently designed and developed an automated system, which allows a continues flow of nanoparticle suspension being dispersed under a cyclic and sealed environment. This system contains an LPGE unit with quadrant channel that allows switching of a maximum of four different starting materials to be mixed and subjected to the sonicating vessel. The flow gradient and overall mixing method, including time and rate of the circulation process, is fully automated, quantified and can be controlled by an equipped computer. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Our preliminary study of forming nanoparticle suspensions using the conventional dispersing method suggested that a much more stable suspension can be formed under a prolonged period of ultrasonication process. Aggregation of particles in water suspension can be avoided when nano-samples were aggressively dispersed, however, using manual sonication method may cause harm to users due to high frequencies noises produced in the prolonged dispersion process. There are several advantages of introducing this newly developed sonication system, firstly, sonication process is performed in a sealed condition, therefore high frequencies generated during experiment would be massively reduced. The sealed vessel is made of stainless steel, and so it allows preservation of heat accumulation and limiting solvent to be evaporated, which often occurred in most of the open vessels. The advanced automated mixing system allows concentrations of various starting materials to be customized throughout the production process. This system also equipped with a two-way switch in between the mixer pump unit and seal vessel to ensure the pump units to be thoroughly cleaned by applying additional solvent. We are still in the process of validating this novel process, and if succeeded, methods will either be published as soon as possible. |
| Description | Antimicrobial evaluations of metallic nanoparticles against Mycobacterium |
| Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
| Department | Pathobiology and Population Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Four nanomaterials have recently been provided to our collaborator at the RVC for antimicrobial tests using Mycobacterium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Awaiting for results |
| Impact | This is a multi-disciplinary collaboration involving material chemistry and molecular bacteriology. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Antimicrobial evaluations of metallic nanoparticles against Mycobacterium |
| Organisation | University of Hertfordshire |
| Department | School of Life and Medical Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Four nanomaterials have recently been provided to our collaborator at the RVC for antimicrobial tests using Mycobacterium. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Awaiting for results |
| Impact | This is a multi-disciplinary collaboration involving material chemistry and molecular bacteriology. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Antiviral nanoparticles and their biological functions |
| Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is a collaboration developed for the antiviral nanoparticles applications towards prevention of animal infections by animal flu viruses in parallel to our EPSRC project in which we are adding antimicrobial nanoparticles to polymer fibers that can be used for filtration pads for antimicrobial. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pirbright Institute will provide testing facilities for antiviral tests for the AVNP materials. Prof John Oxford from Queen Mary Barts and the London will provide advance to the nano-particle test methodology and help to explore the applications. |
| Impact | Some initial antiviral tests on our AVNP's showed excellent results and further tests are carried out for repeating. If everything is 100% confirmed, we will consider to put a proposal to BBSRC for further investigation which could be very very interesting and beneficial to our animal world. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Antiviral nanoparticles and their biological functions |
| Organisation | The Pirbright Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is a collaboration developed for the antiviral nanoparticles applications towards prevention of animal infections by animal flu viruses in parallel to our EPSRC project in which we are adding antimicrobial nanoparticles to polymer fibers that can be used for filtration pads for antimicrobial. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Pirbright Institute will provide testing facilities for antiviral tests for the AVNP materials. Prof John Oxford from Queen Mary Barts and the London will provide advance to the nano-particle test methodology and help to explore the applications. |
| Impact | Some initial antiviral tests on our AVNP's showed excellent results and further tests are carried out for repeating. If everything is 100% confirmed, we will consider to put a proposal to BBSRC for further investigation which could be very very interesting and beneficial to our animal world. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | EPSRC AMF UCL project partner 1-3 |
| Organisation | Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The University of Hertfordshire provides antimicrobial research and experimental work to prepare the antimicrobial nanoparticles for incorporation into the polymer mats for hospital water and air filtration applications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UCL Engineering: To produce antimicrobial mats with above nanoparticles using a pressured gyration method. UCL Civil Env. Geo.: To test the antimicrobial efficacy of filtration mats and design prototypes of filtration systems. GOSH: Will test the filters in their hospital filtration system. |
| Impact | First paper outcome: U. Eranka Illangakoon, S.Mahalingama, K.Wang, Y.-K. Cheong, E. Canales, G.G. Ren, E.Cloutman-Green, M. Edirisinghe?, L. Ciric (2016) 'Gyrospun antimicrobial nanoparticle loaded fibrous polymeric filters'. Materials Science and Engineering C 74 (2017) 315-324 |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | EPSRC AMF UCL project partner 1-3 |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The University of Hertfordshire provides antimicrobial research and experimental work to prepare the antimicrobial nanoparticles for incorporation into the polymer mats for hospital water and air filtration applications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UCL Engineering: To produce antimicrobial mats with above nanoparticles using a pressured gyration method. UCL Civil Env. Geo.: To test the antimicrobial efficacy of filtration mats and design prototypes of filtration systems. GOSH: Will test the filters in their hospital filtration system. |
| Impact | First paper outcome: U. Eranka Illangakoon, S.Mahalingama, K.Wang, Y.-K. Cheong, E. Canales, G.G. Ren, E.Cloutman-Green, M. Edirisinghe?, L. Ciric (2016) 'Gyrospun antimicrobial nanoparticle loaded fibrous polymeric filters'. Materials Science and Engineering C 74 (2017) 315-324 |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | EPSRC AMF UCL project partner 1-3 |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Mechanical Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The University of Hertfordshire provides antimicrobial research and experimental work to prepare the antimicrobial nanoparticles for incorporation into the polymer mats for hospital water and air filtration applications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UCL Engineering: To produce antimicrobial mats with above nanoparticles using a pressured gyration method. UCL Civil Env. Geo.: To test the antimicrobial efficacy of filtration mats and design prototypes of filtration systems. GOSH: Will test the filters in their hospital filtration system. |
| Impact | First paper outcome: U. Eranka Illangakoon, S.Mahalingama, K.Wang, Y.-K. Cheong, E. Canales, G.G. Ren, E.Cloutman-Green, M. Edirisinghe?, L. Ciric (2016) 'Gyrospun antimicrobial nanoparticle loaded fibrous polymeric filters'. Materials Science and Engineering C 74 (2017) 315-324 |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Title | New formulations of antimicrobial nanoparticles |
| Description | We are developing new formulations of nano-materials with multi-elemental combinations for more effective killing of microbes. However, we may need advice on possible protection or patent application. Also, our current work is drawn upon our previous patents on antiviral nanoparticles which were developed by the AVNP consortium sponsored by DTI during 2006-10. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Protection not required |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | The new formulation will promote the filtration advances presumably for developing innovative antimicrobial filtration systems for hospital surgical centre applications. There are no antimicrobial filtration systems available for hospital applications. |
| Title | Antimicrobial nanoparticles for water / air filtration systems for hospital applicatons |
| Description | The possible final applicable antimicrobial filtration device or system will be available in 1-2 years after this EPSRC project finishes. The current test results show lots of technical challenges in front of us. It has been proposed within the consortium that some more research in bacterial and viral killing mechanisms is urgently needed for further progression concerning the filtration formulation optimisation and product designs, etc. |
| Type | Health and Social Care Services |
| Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2018 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | The hospital antimicrobial air and water filtration system will be very attractive to healthcare sectors and the research progress will be reported further in the due course. |
| Description | Antimicrobial filters for water and air |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A short film was created by UCL and University of Hertfordshire, describing the production of antimicrobial fibers through the incorporation of antimicrobial nanoparticles to gyrospun fibre formation and the subsequent antimicrobial testings of the resulting products. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Mqu74CG3w&list=PLNdejLwEhQrNm7zyw0htMll3zqiczyzh-&index=8&t=6s |
| Description | Antimicrobial filters grant advisory panel meeting (every 3-6 months, UCL/UH) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This meeting was held every 6 months during the period of our EPSRC grant, where we presented the latest research findings to the committees in our advisory panel. During these meetings we received advise from experts from different background including Hospitals, filter companies, material industries, etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |
| Description | Biomedical engineering symposium at Sheffield University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | During this symposium, three presentations were delivered by our research team (Dr. G. Ren, Dr. Y.-K. Cheong and PhD student X. Yang). A number of new connections were made through networking with research leaders from different countries (China, South Korea, USA etc.). Large amount of research knowledge were exchanged throughout the two day event, potential collaborations were sought. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Conducted lecture with the title 'Introduction of Nanomaterials' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The purpose of this undergraduate module is to provide an insight of what material engineering involved, as well as to promote the concept of nanoparticle applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
| Description | Internal School research seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr. Y. Cheong was invited to give a presentation in the departmental research seminar, which was organised by the School Engineering and Technology. This particular event is held on monthly basis with an aim to meet colleagues within the department as well as researcher from other departments within the University. A fifty minutes talk was delivered with the title 'Characterisation of Antimicrobial nanoparticles and their applications in biomedical engineering'. Interesting questions were asked, knowledges were exchanged and informal discussions were involved in a very friendly atmosphere. Internal collaboration was initiated with analytical chemist, Dr. J. Star and her team members in the School of life Sciences to investigate ion releases of the antimicrobial nanoparticles using ICP-OES. This collaborative work is held at the brand new Science building on site, these state-of-the-art facilities have also enabled us to widening our research scope in other medical divisions within the School. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | Material Research Exchange |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The University of Hertfordshire had been allocated a stand/stall at the UK Advanced Materials Research Exchange & Investor Showcase 2018 (12-13, March 2018, Business Design Centre London) , where we displayed a number of posters for our EPSRC funded research projects, showcased our latest research findings from EPSRC to promote innovation, knowledge accumulation, and discuss potential collaborations and investments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.mre2018.co.uk/ |
| Description | Novel antimicrobial filters stakeholder event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | A stakeholder event was held at UCL, majority of the event was to promote the potential application of novel antimicrobial fibers that jointly developed by UCL and University of Hertfordshire. During the event, the Principle investigators from both UH and UCL presented research results as well as demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating super-antimicrobial nanoparticle formulations into fiber mats. Many questions were raised by policy makers and potential end users who attended the event. A web page were created as a record of this event and to promote antimicrobial filter applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://mecheng.ucl.ac.uk/news/research-update-team-present-novel-antimicrobial-filters-developed-at... |
| Description | Outreach 1: Attended the first conference/symposium in the field of nanomaterials biomedical applications 19-21 Feb 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | YKC and GR recently invited to give talks to a symposium organised by Sheffield University, sponsored by British Council on their International Collaboration Project Funding (2 years, £120K) between 2015-17. Their funding was awarded to Dr B Chen on the collaboration among the UK, US and China. The Symposium topic was 'Nanomaterials in biomedical applications' at University of Sheffield Led by Dr Biqiong Chen who is Senior Lecturer at the Department of Materials, University of Sheffield. 1. Dr Ren gave a presentation on "Antimicrobial Nanoparticles" and,. 2. Dr YK Cheong gave a presentation with the title 'Characterisations of antimicrobial nanoparticles'. Audiences were from China, US, UK and EU. The invited speaks were from UK universities and medical research organisation and hospitals and their counter parts from China, US and the EU. Dr Chen's collaborators are Chinese Shanghai Jiaotong University, and US Michigan State University with funding from by British Council International Collaboration Programme (2016-18). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Pirbright Institute visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The purpose of this meeting is to promote the applications of antimicrobial nanoparticles and their formulations. A number of participants found the topic we delivered interesting and we have successfully initiated a Msc project with couple of members at the Institute to study antimicrobial affects on animal viruses using antimicrobial formulations we provided. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Research meetings at UH (TARRC) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We hosted a research meeting on-site with the director the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) and two other of his colleagues to discuss potential collaborations in rubber processing. During this meeting, a few topics had been discussed including research and development of antimicrobial rubber and possible grant applications. We were invited to visit their industrial compound in the UK and conduct a talk for one of their seminar session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.tarrc.co.uk/ |
| Description | The Environment Network (Infection and disease prevention workshop) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Attended the annual Environment Net meeting at the Royal College of Paediatrics and child health London. The meeting was organised by EPSRC project partners at GOSH (Elaine Cloutman-Green). The purpose of this meeting is to gather groups of people who are interested in the role of the environment within infection control and disease prevention. This meeting consisted of a total of six talks delivered by experts with infection control knowledge in different background. The afternoon session consisted of workshops where groups of participants went through various case studies to investigate practical scenarios. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| URL | https://www.participant.co.uk/participant/arrangement.aspx?id=195388&hash=0D4CA5856612AFDC110782B86A... |
| Description | UH Engineering and computer sciences event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A research seminar with the title 'Antimicrobial filters for hospital water and air systems' was delivered by both Dr G Ren and Dr Y-K Cheong. During this seminar, important messages about global concerns over antimicrobial resistant (AMR) was emphasized, research results obtained from antimicrobial nanomaterials were disseminated, the potential applications of antimicrobial filers were introduced. Over 25 audiences from various faculties/Schools from the University of Hertfordshire attended this seminar, positive feedback were well received. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | UH Research meeting by inviting Prof. W. Bonfield (CBE, FRS, FREng, FMedSci), Emeritus Professor of Medical Materials, Cambridge University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | During this meeting, we presented our work and promoted the application of antimicrobial nanoparticles to Prof. Bonfield who is a well-known Professor at the University of Cambridge. As outcomes of this meeting, Prof. Bonfield had a number of suggestions for our research development, introduced us some advanced testing methodology and possible and potential collaborative partners. Some proposed work had been initiated and potential grant applications are being discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |