30th April 2020, Graphene Composites Ltd (GC) is pleased to announce an international collaboration with ZEN (ZEN) (TSXV:ZEN) to fight COVID-19 by developing a potential virucidal graphene-based composite ink that can be applied to fabrics including N95 face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for significantly increased protection. Once the development, testing, and confirmation of the graphene ink’s virucidal ability have been completed, the ink will then be incorporated into fabrics used for PPE.
Sandy Chen, CEO of GC stated, “Combining the deep nanomaterials expertise of GC and ZEN with a truly collaborative approach has enabled us to do a year’s worth of R&D in a matter of weeks. Quickly developing and deploying our virucidal/germicidal ink would make a significant difference in slowing the rate of infection – thus saving many lives.”
Francis Dubé, CEO of ZEN commented, “We are pleased to be collaborating with GC and be on the forefront of a new innovative technology that could contribute to combating the deadly COVID-19 virus. The development of this potential COVID-19 virucidal graphene ink is coming at a crucial time to provide effective PPE supplies for the safety of frontline workers and hospital staff.” Dr. Dubé continued, “The current N95 masks trap the virus but don’t kill it. Our testing will demonstrate if the graphene ink is an effective virucide which would kill the virus as this could make a big difference to people’s safety. We have been very impressed by the Graphene Composites team and look forward to continued collaborations.”
Under the collaboration, GC have devised a silver nanoparticle/graphene oxide ink formulation that ZEN has synthesized at their lab in Guelph, Ontario, that has been documented by previous researchers to kill earlier versions of coronavirus.
Once testing is completed, the GC/ZEN graphene ink would then be incorporated into a fabric to be included into masks and filters designed by GC. Efficacy testing of the silver-graphene oxide-based ink to kill the COVID 19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) will be conducted at the University of Western Ontario ImPaKT Facility Biosafety Level 3 lab. In addition, the graphene ink will be tested to kill influenza A and B viruses at Biosafety Level 2 labs in the UK and US.
About Graphene Composites Ltd
GC is an innovative nanomaterials technology company, driven by an ethos to create life-changing products. Using graphene and other nanomaterials, we produce a range of composites that are amongst the strongest, lightest, most resilient materials ever created. A leader in our field, we have the ability to combine science, connected applications and productization rapidly and efficiently.
About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd
ZEN is an emerging graphene technology solutions company with a focus on the development of graphene-based nanomaterial products and applications. The unique Albany Graphite Project provides the company with a potential competitive advantage in the graphene market as independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have independently demonstrated that ZEN’s Albany PureTM Graphite is an ideal precursor material which easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene, using a variety of mechanical, chemical and electrochemical methods.
For further information:
Sandy Chen, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +44 7710 537631
Email: sandy.chen@graphenecomposites.com
To find out more about Graphene Composites Ltd, please visit our website www.graphenecomposites.com
Dr. Francis Dubé, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +1 (289) 821-2820
Email: drfdube@zengraphene.com
To find out more about ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., please visit our website at www.ZENGraphene.com. newsrelease and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on ZEN’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca.