Basic information:

Project title: Research of barrier fabric intended for use in a community half mask and protective clothing “PROTECTION COVID-19”
Identification number of the project: APVV-20-0234
Duration of the project: 01.07.2021 – 30.06.2023
Applicant: VÚTCH-CHEMITEX, spol. s r.o., Žilina
Co-operating institution: Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava
Responsible investigator: Ing. Dana Rástočná Illová, PhD.

Characteristics of the project:

Main goal of the research project is essential innovation and extension of a range of personal protective equipment protecting against biological carriers of the disease, i.e. range of  goods  in short supply. The objective of the project solution is research and development of a barrier fabric with enhanced performance characteristics enabling to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. A strong inhibition and bactericidal effect of the barrier fabric will be ensured by application of progressive technological finishes using atmospheric-pressure low-temperature plasma with subsequent creation of structured surfaces by means of a thin nanolayer with antimicrobial properties using antimicrobial nanosol with incorporated silver  nanoparticles (Ag+). Result of the solution will be barrier fabric with enhanced performance characteristics subsequently applied to a prototype of community face half mask and a prototype of  protective clothing. The proposed project is a reaction to a negative situation with shortage of personal protective clothing, which occurred during the first wave of the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Implementation of the project will create material presuppositions for ensuring  specific level of protection of the population in suppressing the epidemic and/or pandemic and preventing the spread of infections and viruses in the population.