TY - JOUR
T1 - A chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne bacterial inactivation using engineered water nanostructures
AU - Pyrgiotakis, Georgios
AU - McDevitt, James
AU - Bordini, Andre
AU - Diaz, Edgar
AU - Molina, Ramon
AU - Watson, Christa
AU - Deloid, Glen
AU - Lenard, Steve
AU - Fix, Natalie
AU - Mizuyama, Yosuke
AU - Yamauchi, Toshiyuki
AU - Brain, Joseph
AU - Demokritou, Philip
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2014.
PY - 2014/2/1
Y1 - 2014/2/1
N2 - Airborne pathogens are associated with the spread of infectious diseases and increased morbidity and mortality. Herein we present an emerging chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne pathogen inactivation. This technique is based on transforming atmospheric water vapor into Engineered Water Nano-Structures (EWNS) via electrospray. The generated EWNS possess a unique set of physical, chemical, morphological and biological properties. Their average size is 25 nm and they contain reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. In addition, EWNS are highly electrically charged (10 electrons per particle on average). A link between their electric charge and the reduction of their evaporation rate was illustrated resulting in an extended lifetime (over an hour) at room conditions. Furthermore, it was clearly demonstrated that the EWNS have the ability to interact with and inactivate airborne bacteria. Finally, inhaled EWNS were found to have minimal toxicological effects, as illustrated in an acute in-vivo inhalation study using a mouse model. In conclusion, this novel, chemical free, nanotechnology-based method has the potential to be used in the battle against airborne infectious diseases.
AB - Airborne pathogens are associated with the spread of infectious diseases and increased morbidity and mortality. Herein we present an emerging chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne pathogen inactivation. This technique is based on transforming atmospheric water vapor into Engineered Water Nano-Structures (EWNS) via electrospray. The generated EWNS possess a unique set of physical, chemical, morphological and biological properties. Their average size is 25 nm and they contain reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. In addition, EWNS are highly electrically charged (10 electrons per particle on average). A link between their electric charge and the reduction of their evaporation rate was illustrated resulting in an extended lifetime (over an hour) at room conditions. Furthermore, it was clearly demonstrated that the EWNS have the ability to interact with and inactivate airborne bacteria. Finally, inhaled EWNS were found to have minimal toxicological effects, as illustrated in an acute in-vivo inhalation study using a mouse model. In conclusion, this novel, chemical free, nanotechnology-based method has the potential to be used in the battle against airborne infectious diseases.
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U2 - 10.1039/c3en00007a
DO - 10.1039/c3en00007a
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84901485478
SN - 2051-8153
VL - 1
SP - 15
EP - 26
JO - Environmental Science: Nano
JF - Environmental Science: Nano
IS - 1
ER -