Corona research: Munich scientists are developing an invisible wall against viruses

Created: 12/21/2021, 8:59 PM

From: Claudia Schuri

Stay indoors without worrying about being infected with Corona?

That could be possible again soon.

Munich researchers have developed a new system that kills the viruses.

Munich - The wall is invisible: Neither Plexiglas panes nor windows separate the different areas in the room in the Allianz Arena.

Everyone can move freely in it - only for the coronavirus there are insurmountable obstacles in the room.

On Monday (December 20), researchers presented a new system there that can prevent infections indoors.

Reiner Prohaska had the idea for this in front of the television: In a film, motorbikes raced through the area, pulling walls of light behind them.

"Before that I had read that UV-C rays destroy viruses," says the 49-year-old entrepreneur.

So he had an idea: a virtual wall of rays against the coronavirus.

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Invisible wall against viruses: Munich research cooperation develops new technology

In the meantime, the vision has become a reality: Researchers from the Tropical Institute at the LMU Klinikum München and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), in cooperation with the company Smart United, have developed a system that prevents viruses from leaving certain areas in the room.

Now Reiner Prohaska, Dr.

Andreas Wieser (38) from the Tropical Institute of the LMU Klinikum and Professor Christoph Haisch (53) from the Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry at TUM presented the new technology.

There are no separating discs: In the new system, invisible radiation walls stop viruses and bacteria.

Andreas Wieser, Christoph Haisch and Reiner Prohaska presented the technology in the Allianz Arena.

© Marcus sleep

"Our system can be hung from the ceiling like a lamp to separate rooms," explains Wieser.

This creates a kind of invisible barrier: Viruses and bacteria cannot move from one area to another in the room.

Corona research from Munich: UV-C light deactivates Covid viruses

The trick: "UV-C light deactivates microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria," explains Haisch.

“The basic principle is not new.” UV-C light is bundled and radiated downwards via a device on the ceiling.

The rays running parallel to each other ensure that the pathogens are killed.

“Other viruses such as rhinitis cannot get through either,” says Andreas Wieser.

In addition, the system sucks in the air you breathe, slowly blows it into the effective area of ​​the rays and disinfects it.

This prevents an accumulation of infectious aerosols in the room.

According to the studies, over 99 percent of the viruses and bacteria could be eliminated.

"It is the first product with such a protective effect," says Wieser.

Munich researchers develop corona protection for hospitals and homes

The researchers emphasize that there is no need to fear damage from radiation.

As soon as a part of the body or object is in the radiation area, the system switches off automatically.

So you can walk around the room completely freely.

The technology could be used in hospitals or nursing homes, among other places.

“That is where the level of suffering is highest,” says Haisch.

For example, the wall could make visiting relatives even safer.

Schools, offices or facilities with a lot of party traffic or sports facilities are also possible locations.

"With the FFP2 mask, protection depends on whether it is worn correctly," says Haisch.

The protection provided by UV-C rays, on the other hand, is always the same.

According to the developers' plan, the protective wall should be on the market as early as the beginning of April.