Issue 36: Coronavirus Filter

James Elliot is one of the team of scientists and engineers from Cambridge and Ma’alot Tarshiha, Israel, who have developed a revolutionary new carbon-based material that captures and destroys an animal coronavirus, a close relative of the SARSCoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The Active Virus Filter in the form of a thin carbon nanotube mat (TorStran™) has the filtration and air permeability properties that allow it to capture free virus molecules and those contained in airborne aerosolised droplets. Both filtration and virus disruption take place at the same time, allowing the filter to reduce the risk of infection by removing contamination from the air. It is envisaged being particularly useful in confined situations such as emergency vehicles, hospitals, transportation, waiting areas and wards.