mask featuring ground-breaking copper technology launched
A futuristic-looking, high-tech surgical mask – HeiQ MetalliQ- that destroys all viruses and bacteria tested, up to 100% efficacy was launched by HeiQ, a global leader in textile and materials innovation.It has been produced with revolutionary copper technology.
The mask with a patented design contains an ultra-thin pure copper coating applied via a high-tech vapor deposition process, called HeiQ MetalliX, which converts a minute amount of copper into vapour, allowing it to be deposited evenly to surround each fibre. HeiQ MetalliX is a patent-pending technology, created by HeiQ’s innovation partner, Australian materials technology company, Xefco.
Studies conducted by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia (Doherty Institute) showed that fabrics treated by the HeiQ MetalliX technology significantly deactivated the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) in as little as 5 minutes.
Copper is a naturally occurring element, present in the earth’s crust, soil, oceans, lakes and rivers. It is also a trace element that occurs naturally in all humans, plants and animals. The antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties of copper have been known for centuries and have been demonstrated by many laboratory studies. HeiQ MetalliX treated materials release copper ions which deactivate viruses and bacteria. Treated materials have also been tested to kill 100% of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae and deactivate 99.95% of H1N1 virus and 99.9% of Human Coronavirus 229E.
Made in EU, HeiQ MetalliQ is manufactured in HeiQ Medica in Spain where HeiQ also conducts R&D activities for medical devices. Throughout the development of the HeiQ MetalliX technology, Xefco worked closely with long-standing research partner the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) at Deakin University, as part of the world-class ARC Research Hub for Future Fibre.HeiQ is also a member.
“As we emerge from lock-down we want to be extra protected and protect the others. HeiQ MetalliQ is designed exactly to provide that extra level of confidence. It gives an edgy look, making it an improved alternative to surgical masks in many ways,” continued Carlo Centonze, co-founder and CEO of HeiQ Group.”You can pretty much ‘heiq’ everything to add additional functions to an every-day product,” he added.
HeiQ is a leader in textile innovation creating some of the most effective, durable and high-performance textile technologies on the market today. The company was founded in 2005 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) and is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market (LSE: HEIQ). HeiQ combining three areas of expertise – scientific research, specialty materials manufacturing and consumer ingredient branding. It has a total capacity of 35’000 tons per year and manufactures in the USA, Switzerland and Australia supplying its specialty chemical products in over 60 countries worldwide.
Xefco is an Australian-owned company that creates innovative textile and coating technologies. Leveraging a global network of research partners, Xefco develops advanced manufacturing solutions and applies cutting edge materials science with a focus on functional improvements, sustainable manufacturing and reduced resource consumption. Incorporated in 2018, Xefco’s technologies are now used by some of the world’s leading technical apparel and fashion brands, providing proven functional benefits, enhanced performance, comfort and protection with reduced environmental impact. Xefco continues to expand its technology portfolio with a vision to create a more sustainable future for the textile and garment industries.
image source:HeiQ