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Bioinspired Dual-Pathogen Defense Through Electrostatic-Capturing and Light-Burst Sterilization for Smart Screen
Wei Yao1, Xiaoling Pan1, Yuan Gao1
1Department of Nanomedicine & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Nautical Medicine and Translation of Drugs and Medical Devices, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|February 5, 2026
Summary
This study presents a novel light-activated antimicrobial coating for nonwoven fabrics, inspired by nature. This sustainable solution effectively traps and kills airborne pathogens like bacteria and viruses using ambient light, enhancing indoor biosafety.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Indoor biosafety is crucial, requiring advanced antimicrobial strategies against airborne pathogens.
- Conventional antimicrobial methods face limitations in efficacy and biofilm penetration.
- Nature-inspired "trap-and-kill" mechanisms offer a promising alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a sustainable, ambient light-activated antimicrobial coating for nonwoven fabrics.
- To integrate quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizers.
- To develop a dual-functional system for capturing and inactivating airborne pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Molecular integration of QAS and AIE photosensitizers onto nonwoven fabrics (NWF).
- Testing antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Influenza A virus (H1N1) under ambient light.
- Evaluating the biosafety of the integrated bactericidal-filtration system under accelerated bioaerosol diffusion conditions.
Main Results:
- Achieved 99.98% reduction of S. aureus and E. coli, and 99.93% inactivation of H1N1.
- Demonstrated 99.23% airborne pathogen interception efficiency via combined physical capture and on-contact inactivation.
- The composite NWF functions as an intelligent interface for building biosafety control.
Conclusions:
- The developed ambient light-activated antimicrobial coating offers a sustainable and effective solution for indoor biosafety.
- This synergistic "trap-and-kill" system overcomes limitations of conventional antimicrobial approaches.
- The dual-functional nonwoven fabrics represent a significant advancement in next-generation building biosafety systems.
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