Health US - Graphene Composites

Introducing GC Halo™

Dual action nanotechnology

We have developed a patent pending graphene oxide / silver nanoparticle ink formulation, GC Halo™ that is proven to kill viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses. The ink establishes a virucidal layer on fabrics and has been independently tested and certified to have at least 99% virucidal efficacy when applied as a coating to filter material.

Backed up by Data

Brown University, USA conducted an independent study showing that GC Ink kills 100% of coronavirus OC43 and influenza A H1N1 virus in under one minute in liquid form (bioRxiv – Graphene oxide/silver nanoparticle ink formulations rapidly inhibit influenza A virus and OC43 coronavirus infection in vitro, Meredith J. Crane, Stephen Devine, Amanda M. Jamieson, 25^th February, 2021).

Further independent tests of GC Ink on filter materials against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, shows at least 99% virucidal efficacy when tested on a filter material and show an Mv value (antiviral activity) log reduction of 2.83. These tests have recently been ISO certified (Tests according to ISO 18184:2019, a standard protocol to quantify the antiviral properties of textile materials). Copies of the report are available upon request.

To find out more, please contact us using the form below for our white paper on our GC Ink.

Please complete the form here to request a copy of our whitepaper on GC Ink

How GC INK Works

GC’s technology is highly eﬀective due to its dual action mechanism. The negatively-charged graphene oxide surface traps the positively-charged parts of water droplets and the protein spikes on coronavirus and other viruses. The silver nanoparticles oxidise the lipid membrane protecting coronavirus RNA, thereby killing it.

100% virucidal eﬃcacy on Human Coronavirus OC43 and Inﬂuenza A H1N1 viruses in liquid form, in less than one minute. Independently tested by Brown University
At least 99% virucidal eﬃcacy on textiles. Independently tested in the UK according to ISO 18184:2019
Designed to be effective against any Covid variants – including Omicron due to the distinctive targeting of the lipid membrane
No shedding of GC Ink particles in airﬂow tests independently tested in the UK, removing toxicity concerns
Independent tests confirms no measurable impact on airﬂow
Preliminary results show that it is also effective against bacteria Escherichia coli (E. Coli), Staphylococcus aureus and fungi Aspergillus niger (black mold)

Indoor Air Quality

There is an acute focus by global government and health institutions on delivering indoor air quality (IAQ) by improving ventilation. While in the past IAQ efforts have focused on reducing indoor air pollutants, the focus is now on reducing exposure to airborne pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.

Ventilation can also exacerbate the problem, where high airflow can foment the spread of pathogens throughout a room and ventilation ducts may carry infectious viruses into connected rooms, such as in schools, hospitals and office buildings – even with good ventilation, infectious viral aerosols from a person with COVID-19 can not only spread throughout that room, but also could migrate from the infected room to uninfected ones through recirculated air.

Cleaning the air of potentially virus-laden aerosols offers long-term benefits for citizen health, support safer work, education and play environments, building confidence with individuals and communities, particularly in areas such as travel, economic and leisure activities.

GC Halo™ coated pre-filters

The unique ability of GC Halo™ to form an ultra-thin, uniform, actively virucidal film on the individual fibres of the filter materials, means air can flow virtually unimpeded through treated filters – crucial in building ventilation systems, whilst airborne viruses and bacteria are trapped and destroyed.

Tests by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) measuring the impact on airflow rates of applying GC Halo, concluded negligible impact on airflow rates and an independent airflow study has confirmed that there is no shedding of GC Halo particles in airflow tests, addressing toxicity concerns.

GC Halo coated filters can be quickly installed in existing HEPA filters and ventilation systems without the need for retro-fitting – making it a fast, affordable and highly effective solution.

GC Halo™ FAQs

Questions you may have

What is GC Halo™ ?

GC Halo™ is our patent-pending graphene oxide and silver nanoparticle formulation that establishes a virucidal layer on fabrics and surfaces.
How does it work?

GC Halo™ uses a dual action, ‘trap-and-neutralise’, nanochemistry whereby graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles work together.

The negatively-charged graphene oxide surface traps water droplets and the protein spikes on coronavirus. The silver nanoparticles neutralise coronavirus by oxidising the membrane that protects the RNA inside.

All this happens at the nanoscale which makes it more effective. If you’d like to read a detailed scientific explanation of the technology, please refer to the Brown University report.
Is it effective?

Yes. Tests by Brown University have shown that GC Halo™ in liquid form is 100% effective against Human Coronavirus OC43 and Influenza A H1N1 viruses, in less than one minute.

Independent UK ISO tests on GC Halo™ treated fabric to determine antiviral activity on textiles have also been certified to show at least 99% effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 according to ISO 18184:2019
Is it safe?

Yes. An independent study by the UK Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) confirms no shedding of GC Halo™ particles in airflow tests of GC Halo™ treated filter materials, removing toxicity concerns. The CPI study used over 20,000 sampling data points to measure particle shedding of GC Halo™ and found none.

We are preparing for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval process, as well as the EU’s Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) approval process, covering both effectiveness and safety. We are also obtaining International Standards Office (ISO) certifications for product applications.
Why did you develop GC Ink™?

We developed the ink in response to COVID-19. Before the pandemic hit, we were working on a joint project with Brown University to develop a graphene oxide formulation to coat onto clothing that would protect against mosquito bites. We significantly adapted and extended this formulation to protect against coronavirus.
Where can GC Halo™ be used?

GC Halo™ can be used as a surface treatment; it can be sprayed, dip-coated or otherwise applied onto filter materials where it can trap and neutralise airborne viruses and/or bacteria, or onto surfaces where it can leave a virucidal/germicidal layer of protection.

For manufacturing partners, we can supply trial production batches by April – provided that we agree NDAs and Heads of Terms with you beforehand.

We plan to be in large-scale production by the second half of this year.
How has GC Halo™ been tested?
GC Halo™ has been tested with the following independent testing labs:
- Virucidal efficacy on Human Coronavirus OC43 and Influenza A H1N1 viruses by Brown University, USA
- Antiviral activity on textiles according to ISO 18184:2019 by Virology Research Services (UK)
- Shedding of GC Ink™ particles in ventilation airflows by the UK Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)
- Pressure drop tests to measure the effect of GC Ink™ on filter materials on ventilation system
Does GC Halo™ kill the coronavirus?

Strictly speaking, coronaviruses are not considered to be living organisms, so GC Halo™ can’t kill something that isn’t technically alive. However, GC Halo™ is considered to be virucidal in that it has been shown to neutralise the ability of coronavirus to replicate.
What kind of microbes does GC Halo™ kill?

GC Halo™ kills many kinds of harmful microbes including viruses and bacteria. Preliminary results show that it is also effective against bacteria Escherichia coli (E. Coli), Staphylococcus aureus and fungi Aspergillus niger (black mould).
When will it be ready?

GC Halo™ is ready for product applications in filters and wipes with relevant ISO 18184 certification and samples can be provided with relevant NDAs in place.

For product applications on consumer goods that are made from non-porous materials like plastic or glass, this will take longer for the relevant ISO 21702 certification testing to be done.
Is it recyclable?

GC Halo™ can be used in recyclable materials such as cotton or viscose-based fabrics.
What is its carbon footprint?

The processes used to produce GC Halo™ – for example, mixing the key ingredients, spraying or dip-coating onto filters – consume relatively low amounts of energy and thus have a relatively low carbon footprint.
I'm a manufacturer, how can I buy it?

We would work with you to apply our GC Halo™ to your product – so we would supply GC Halo™ to your facilities to be incorporated into your manufacturing process.

We can supply samples provided that we agree NDAs and Heads of Terms with you beforehand and provide large-scale production.

Sample product applications are on face masks and other PPE, on filters for ventilation systems, wipes and other healthcare/sanitation products, and on many consumer goods, like phones/toys etc.
I'm a retail customer, how can I buy it?

Unfortunately, we can’t sell GC Halo™ directly to consumers; there are too many regulations that make it hard for us to sell it directly.

So, look out for the “GC Halo™” trademark and/or the GC logo on whatever product that you’re looking for (like filters, etc).