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Hong Kong University of Science and Technology researchers have developed a 'smart' antimicrobial coating that can also be used on fabric, which they claim can kill 99.9 percent of highly-infectious viruses such as measles, mumps and rubella, as well as feline calicivirus.

The feline virus is more resistant than coronaviruses.

In February, the university unveiled a portable coronavirus detection device, that promised a test in 40 minutes from sampling to testing, compared with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology which takes between 1.5 to 3 hours.

Professor Yeung King-lun from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering said their product continues to be effective for up to three months, unlike traditional disinfectant, containing bleach and alcohol, RTHK reports.
"We use a special type of polymers that are actually used in a lot of food products. We reassemble them in a certain way to make them more effective," Yeung said.

The researchers say they have already found a manufacturer, and the new product has been used in hospitals, schools, daycare centres and elderly homes. They added that the product could hit the market in the next two to four weeks.

The antimicrobial coating can be applied on fabric as well, HKUST researchers say.

HKUST unveils antimicrobial coating