Novgorod researchers have created antibacterial tableware to combat coronavirus and influenza.
Preparing various disinfectant solutions and biologically active additives, as well as disinfecting water and beverages, are just a few of the applications for the bactericidal dishes developed by Alexander Tikhonov, an associate professor in the "Graphic Design" department at Novgorod State University, and a candidate of technical sciences, to combat Covid-19.
The effectiveness of the proposed dishes lies in their ability to produce different solutions containing copper and silver ions in ratios that achieve their maximum combined antimicrobial and regenerative effects.
“Copper is an essential trace element,” comments Alexander Tikhonov, the inventor of the bactericidal dishes. “In addition to its antimicrobial properties, it also has immunostimulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Silver effectively combats over 500 pathogenic microorganisms and is known for its immunomodulatory, bactericidal, bacteriostatic, antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. Moreover, silver ions exhibit a stronger antimicrobial effect than substances like penicillin, biomycin, and other antibiotics. This means that such dishes could partially replace these potent medications, to which an increasing number of microbes are becoming resistant.”
However, to achieve these results, it is necessary to saturate the liquid with silver and copper ions in a ratio of at least 1/10000. The bactericidal dishes facilitate this process through their unique manufacturing technology. A container (which can be made of steel, aluminum, or another material) with a volume of, for example, 0.2 liters is coated entirely with copper. A silver coating is then applied to the bottom and lower inner surface. Afterward, drinking water, a citric acid solution (100 mg/l), mineral water, or another liquid is poured into it and left for a specified number of hours. For instance, drinking water should sit for 12-24 hours, while citric acid and mineral water require 1-2 hours. This results in a pure solution ready for preparing food, beverages, dietary supplements, medicines, or cosmetics.
“The bactericidal dishes are cost-effective due to the minimal amount of silver used,” noted Alexander Tikhonov, highlighting the advantages of the development. “Therefore, they can be utilized not only in medicine, pharmacology, cosmetology, and veterinary medicine but also in everyday life, by any housewife. Solutions from the bactericidal dishes can be used for the prevention and treatment of viral and infectious diseases, as well as for preparing disinfectant cleaning solutions or bases for folk medicine products.”
In Russia and worldwide, there are already plastic dishes with bactericidal properties that saturate liquids with silver ions. However, the concentration of these ions in the solutions produced in such dishes is much lower than in the developed dishes. Additionally, plastic dishes do not generate copper ions, which means the bactericidal effect of the solutions from them is also weaker.
The closest analog to the new development is a copper-silver ionator, which can also saturate liquids with silver and copper ions. However, unlike the bactericidal dishes, it requires more time for cleaning and maintenance and lacks versatility, meaning it does not allow for the preparation of various solutions. The developed bactericidal dishes can do this. They can create different solutions with a silver to copper ion ratio of at least 1/5000, as well as solutions containing only copper ions or only silver ions.
Currently, the technology for producing bactericidal dishes is patented, and samples have been manufactured. Negotiations are underway for their production and implementation in Novgorod enterprises and medical institutions. The dishes were also showcased at the All-Russian Exhibition of Innovative Projects by Inventors and Innovators, which recently took place at the Novgorod State University INTC "Valdai" during the II Congress of Young Scientists.