Masks that protect doctors and nurses from COVID-19 only block the virus before it reaches their faces, but UCF researchers are working to create a protective coating that would include a novel mask material that would catch the virus and kill it within seconds.<\/p>\n
Sudipta Seal, an engineer<\/a> specializing in material science and nanotechnology, initiated this project working with Griffith Parks, a virologist who leads research efforts at UCF\u2019s College of Medicine<\/a>.<\/p>\n Seal came up with the idea, which the National Science Foundation funded last week, approving the research proposal through a rapid review process that took about a month.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not come up with a protective film made of nanostructures that could catch and kill the virus?\u201d Seal said. \u201cI could come up with the nanoparticles, I was sure, but would the concept work with a virus? I called Parks and yes, he thought it could work.\u201d<\/p>\n