CoFilm +, coating and sticker paint that uses Nano Copper technology which kills viruses

ITS Campus, ITS News –The Covid-19 pandemic is still spreading and mutating, including in Indonesia. This prompted the Head of the Center for Advanced Materials and Nano Technology Research, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Dr. Agung Purniawan ST MEng, and his team innovate by making antiviral coatings and stickers called CoFilm +.

The coating and sticker paints use Nano Copper technology (nano-sized copper) as an active antiviral ingredient applied to surfaces that are often touched. Examples of its application include door handles, stair railings, tables, and others in hospitals, schools, restaurants, offices, airports, malls, and private places.

According to him, Nano Copper technology was chosen because it is widely used as a material that can kill various kinds of viruses and bacteria. “Besides, Copper is also the only metal material that has been certified by the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency),” he said.

Dr. Agung Purniawan ST MEng (in blue batik) while giving an explanation at an event

Agung’s innovation has also been tested at the Institute of Tropical Disease (ITD) Universitas Airlangga. As a result, the SARS COV-2 virus on the surface of CoFilm + 90 percent can die on the surface of objects given this coating paint within 10 minutes, while 99.9 percent of the virus can die within 1 hour. While on the surface of things without this antiviral coating, the virus can last more than 24 hours.

Some of the advantages include easy application, can perform disinfection for 24 hours continuously, and save costs. More than that, CoFilm + can also reduce nosocomial infections or infections acquired from health facilities such as hospitals and health centers.

One example of the appearance of objects that have been coated with CoFilm +, an innovation made by ITS lecturers and the team

Meanwhile, the estimated price of each item depends on the area and type of the object. For example, for permanent coating per door handle, the cost is estimated to start from IDR 20 thousand. Meanwhile, tables with an area of ​​up to 1.5 square meters start at IDR 150 thousand. “This price includes coating and maintenance services,” he said.

CoFilm + is also available in the form of A3 size antivirus laminate stickers with prices starting at Rp. 60 thousand per sheet. CoFilm + trials have been carried out since January 2021 on several doors handles in offices such as One Roof Co-working space and PT. Earth.

CoFilm + comprehensive protection was first applied at the ITS Medical Center for all door handles, stair railings, tables, chair handles, switches, and handrails in early March. Even though it has been widely used, Agung explained that this coating paint’s durability still needs further research before it can be developed into a product that is ready to be marketed.

The process of painting on the door handle with CoFilm + which was developed by ITS lecturers and their team

On behalf of his team, Agung hopes that CoFilm + can be of broader use, especially at ITS as the birthplace of CoFilm +. And it can be applied to reduce the spread of infections from various viruses and bacteria during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Especially in the face-to-face learning discourse that will be opened starting from higher education,” he concluded. (far/ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Sofyan Abidin