(Yicai Global) Oct. 29 -- A university in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has developed a sanitizing material that can effectively neutralize the novel coronavirus, Shenzhen Evening News reported today.

Experimental results show that the material can kill 99.69 percent of the Covid-19-causing virus on the surface of objects, the report said, adding that it may provide a new way to stop the virus spreading.

The nanometer material has a special chemical structure, the report said, citing Zhao Zuzhen, a key member of the research and development team and director of the Photoelectric New Materials R&D Center at Tsinghua University’s Research Institute in Shenzhen.

Zhao said that when pathogens such as the novel coronavirus appear on the surface of objects, the material automatically releases positively charged ions, causing the sulfur-containing protease on the virus’ protein shell to lose its function, thus achieving automatic sanitization of the virus.

The material can be added to the surface of items such as masks, gloves, and goggles during production or it can be sprayed onto the surface of common building materials such as marble tiles, glass, and door panels.

Results of tests performed in P3 containment laboratories in Shenzhen showed that the elimination rate of the novel coronavirus on surfaces treated with this material reached 99.69 percent. It can also kill colibacillus, Candida albicans and other viruses.

Shenzhen Recloud Technology, founded by Zhao, has started mass production of the material, which will be gradually applied in public places such as hospitals, airports, docks and hotels used to quarantine people with suspected infections.

Editor: Peter Thomas