TEXGRAF: “Nuevos Tejidos Profilácticos Eficientes Contra SARS-COV-2 Basados Textiles no-tejidos Modificados con Grafeno y Derivados”

TEXGRAF: "Nuevos Tejidos Profilácticos Eficientes Contra SARS-COV-2 Basados Textiles no-tejidos Modificados con Grafeno y Derivados"

Félix Zamora, Pedro J. de Pablo, and Julio Gómez (IFIMAC memebers) have obtained funds for the project: ”Nuevos tejidos profilácticos eficientes contra SARS-COV-2 basados textiles no-tejidos modificados con grafeno y derivados” (TEXGRAF)

The project is financed by Banco Santander and CRUE, through FONDO SUPERA COVID19.

Title of the project:
“Nuevos tejidos profilácticos eficientes contra SARS-COV-2 basados textiles no-tejidos modificados con grafeno y derivados” – TEXGRAF

Funding agency:
FONDO SUPERA COVID19 del Banco Santander y la CRUE.

Summary:
The Project led by Félix Zamora, Pedro J. de Pablo, and Julio Gómez (IFIMAC-UAM) aims a new technology to produce protective masks and, in general, to avoid contagion by infectious pathogens and more specifically by viral particles. We intend to develop new technology for the manufacture of industrial textiles based on the modification of “non-woven fabric.” Non-woven polypropylene constitutes the paradigmatic case, which is the material used in most of the current mask filters. We aim to incorporate 2D-materials such as graphene, and / or derivatives thereof (for example, graphene oxide) and thus generate a specific SARS-CoV-2 antiviral barrier. To do this, we will use a simple and scalable process, based on a patent developed in our research group, which allows us to generate graphene “inks”. Our goal is to develop a simple, scalable and competitive technology that helps to improve the effectiveness and comfort of masks and, in general, of prophylactic textiles developed with the SARS-COV-2 virus, but adaptable to other viruses.

This project is promoted by a consortium in which four research groups from the Community of Madrid (three from the IFIMAC-UAM and one from the CNB-CSIC led by Jaime Martín Benito) participate, in addition to a group from the University of Granada led by Francisco J. Olmo. Three Spanish companies also collaborate: Nanoinnova Technologies S.L. (producer of graphene and derivatives: supply of these products), Non-woven Ibérica S.L. (producer of non-woven woven materials: woven these materials), and Textil Elástico S.L. (made to manufacture the highest quality orthopedic elastic products, which is who produces the masks).