b'Case Study NEW GENERATION COATINGS WITH INTRINSIC ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIONHelping industry find academic partners to solve unmet needsAn NBIC funded Proof of Concept project led by the University of Liverpool, in partnership with Gencoa Ltd, focused on development of anti-microbial coatings using magnetron sputtering technology. The collaborative project enabled a new generation of coatings to be created. Liverpools analysis pro-vided X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) data on the relative concentrations of the elements present in the near surface region and the local chemical environments/states of the elements in differentReusable face visor with anti-viral coatings and high optical performance.coatings. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) data enabled the surface topography of the coat-ings to be imaged.the world in consumer and healthcare settings to help Surface bioassays revealed that specific coatingsfight infections that are a result of cross-contamination possessed high anti-bacterial performance.from hand contact with surfaces.The coatings methodology and know-how developedThe combination of advanced coating technology during the project formed the basis of two Innovatecreated by Gencoa, with advanced characterisation UK projects submitted by Gencoa, Liverpool andtechniques used by Liverpool, enable differences other partners, to develop anti-bacterial and anti-viralin antimicrobial performance to be correlated to coatings for high touch surfaces, therefore expandingfabrication conditions and the resultant surface Gencoas portfolio of products. Both applicationschemistry and topography. This new technology were successful (combined total grant value ~500K)mitigates the potential of the virus to spread from and work on both projects has commenced. Twosurfaces that people come into regular contact with and main applications have been targetted: first, anti-viralshow great societal benefits in terms of saving lives and coatings to create reusable face visors and goggles withthe economy. Professor Raval, NBIC Co-Director said, high optical performance; and second a transparent anti-viral touch screen coating for ticket machinesAnti-viral surfaces are at the frontline of Covid-19 used widely in public transport and healthcare. Drcontrol and new surface-based technologies have the Monaghan, MD of Gencoa, said, potential to break and contain chains of transmission. This project creates an excellent opportunity to The success of our grant applications with thetranslate our state of the art surface science research University of Liverpool and other partners is theinto UKs innovation pipeline and help our SME springboard we needed to provide the scientificcompanies to create new products that will enable key information of how these surfaces quickly kill virusessectors in the UK to open up safely.and bacteria. We aim to apply this technology around Project SummariesBoth projects address a clear unmet need in the current pandemic relating to transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) via the touching of contaminated surfaces 1 2 3 in areas such as hospitals, train stations, restaurants and shops. The virus has proven to be particularly resilient, remaining active on plastic and glass surfaces 1.Professor Rasmita Raval, NBIC Co-Directorfor several days, which poses a significant barrier to 2.Dr Dermot Monaghan, Gencoa Ltd Managing Directorresuming public services, reopening hospitality and 3.Victor Bellido-Gonzalez, Gencoa Ltd R&D Manager welcoming workers back to their offices.40'