The Swiss hygiene technology firm Livinguard has developed a technology that can kill 99% of Covid-19.
Founded in 2011, Livinguard is a hygiene technology company with a focus on reinventing hygiene in the 21st century. In the past, the business has focused on applications such as air and water purification, food contact and industrial textiles, but now it is applying its expertise to help fight Covid-19.
Livinguard is applying its Tripellent Technology, which consists of its Livinguard Antiviral coating, to face masks. Tests recently completed at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Department of Environmental Studies, under the supervision of Dr Charles Gerba, have shown that over 99% of human coronavirus 229e that comes into contact with Livinguard treated textiles are destroyed.
“We are enthused and grateful to be able to offer a powerful tool in the fight against coronavirus,” says Sanjeev Swamy, founder and CTO of Livinguard.
“The unique characteristics of Livinguard will provide users with an unprecedented level of safety. This is particularly important as shelter-in-place orders are eased.”
The Livinguard mask comprises three layers offering five levels of protection against Covid-19. Unlike other face masks, the layers work in continuous combination, protecting both the wearer and others.
To make the outer layer, the company uses its patented Tripellent Technology. This includes applying the Livinguard Antiviral and repellent coating to the outside of the fabric, and then the Livinguard Antiviral technology is also bonded into the fabric itself. This technology is applied to the inside of the fabric too.
The middle layer of the mask is made from a nonwoven industry-standard filter that channels viruses for destruction to the outer or inner layers. Sandwiched between disinfecting fabrics, it is protected from biological contamination, allowing the mask to be washed safely and reused.
Lastly, the inner layer is denser than the outer layer and is also treated with Livinguard Antiviral technology. The fabric is quick-drying with low humidity, soft, and stretchy, which provides a comfortable fit for the mouth and nose.
But how does the technology actually destroy the virus? The principle underlying the technology is the ability of polycationic surfaces to inactivate microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and several types of fungi, and to do so without leaching.
First, materials such as textiles treated with Livinguard technology have around 24 billion charges per square centimetre. This acts like a magnet for viruses and bacteria. The treatment provides a positive ‘magnet’ for the negative bacteria and viruses. Upon contact, these microbes attach themselves to the textile.
Next, the positively-charged ‘magnet’ is more powerful than the negative charge of the microbes, which means that they give up and ‘explode’. The bacterial and yeast cell walls and the viral protein capsids or envelopes are disrupted, and the now harmless insides leak out and disintegrate. Lastly, once the microbes are destroyed, they have no charge left, so they fall off or can be washed off. Once the space they occupied on the material opens up, the charges they were attached to are freed to start the process again.
Face masks using the Livinguard technology are washable and reusable. Each mask can be used up to 210 times, with no compromise on efficacy. Since the Livinguard face mask is free of metals and does not leach, it is kind to the skin as well as the environment.
Although Livinguard’s technology is currently being used on face masks, it can be applied to any textile, enabling the highest level of hygiene and protection to be embedded into a broad variety of consumer products across numerous industries.
Livinguard is currently working with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the results of the testing. Although Livinguard face masks are not yet available for sale in the US or cleared by the FDA, the company is confident it will find the results reliable and agree that the technology’s application to masks and textiles will be beneficial, especially during this global pandemic.
Masks treated with the Livinguard technology are available throughout the world with current manufacturing in Portugal, Israel, Sri Lanka, Jordan, UAE, India, and China. In the US, Livinguard treated masks are expected to be available in the next few weeks. ReadyOne, a manufacturer of battle dress for the US military out of El Paso Texas, will manufacture Livinguard certified masks.
Face masks using the Livinguard technology are currently being produced and sold by several companies in Asia, the Middle East and Europe, including by Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH). Numerous countries in these regions have already approved the face mask as a reusable N95 antiviral, antibacterial face mask. Procter & Gamble was among the first companies to buy FHH’s Fine Guard brand of masks to equip its employees in China.
“We are so proud to partner with Livinguard and bring this breakthrough technology to protect the world’s consumers,” says James Michael Lafferty, CEO FHH.
“We are working hard to maximise the availability of Fine Guard masks treated with Livinguard technology and are already looking into new product developments with Livinguard such as gloves and disposable wipes.”
