Galvanic microcells as control agent of indoor microorganisms

Area of Science:

• Building Science
• Materials Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Fungicides are standard for indoor surface maintenance but face challenges like fungal resistance and human health risks.
• Fungal resistance to fungicides accelerates virulence evolution.
• There is a need for alternative antifungal strategies for indoor environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce galvanic microcells as a novel tool for indoor fungal control.
• To investigate the antifungal mechanisms of galvanic microcells, including oligodynamic action and electricidal effects.
• To model the geometric properties of the fungal inhibition zones and correlate them with electric field strength.

Main Methods:

• Utilized galvanic microcells with Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) electrodes.
• Investigated the relationship between electrode distance and inhibition zone size.
• Applied mathematical modeling using Cassini ovals to describe inhibition zone geometry.
• Correlated antifungal activity with water content in building materials.

Main Results:

• The size of the inhibition zone was found to be dependent on the distance between electrodes.
• Observed inhibition zones exhibited unique geometric properties, potentially modellable by Cassini ovals.
• The inhibition zone size showed two maximum values, correlating with electric field strength distribution.
• Antifungal efficacy increased with decreasing water content in building materials.

Conclusions:

• Galvanic microcells present a promising alternative to traditional fungicides for indoor fungal control.
• The system's effectiveness is enhanced in damp building materials, targeting high-risk environments.
• The study provides insights into the mechanisms and geometric characteristics of galvanic microcell-mediated fungal inhibition.