Covid-19: Meeting the challenges through Engineering

Hi Kenneth,


 My concern would be a microwave would destroy the static electric deposits that filter the viral load in the ones I mentioned. I think you'd need specialist knowledge of the mechanisms used to evaluate that with microwaves.


Regarding the cleaning of other types of mask and other PPE, I see no reason why that shouldn't be appropriate. If it were microwave proof, i.e. not going to shrivel up like a crisp packet... and didn't contain metallic hinge pins. Then in theory it should kill anything biological in pretty short order. That might offer an option for more delicate materials, the static based masks are quite solidly constructed from my brief reading. That's half the problem, you have to penetrate the mask to sterilise it at depth. However, something lighter and less solid, with no EM involvement should be suitable for a microwave. The question will be whether the Covid is heated due to it's own molecular construct/carrier construct being excited by the RF, or whether it is heated by the material it's on being heated. If the material has to reach high temperatures, that could be a problem. If the Covid itself is heated by the RF, then you could blast it quite quickly with an industrial microwave such as you'd probably find in most hospital kitchens.


Of course, we are in a hospital... we have X-ray generators! Could these be (ab)used?

I think at this point we need the input of an RF expert with biological expert.


Cheers


Rob

Kenneth Hattersley:

Good point. Has this ref any validity? https://consteril.com/covid-19-pandemic-disinfection-and-sterilization-of-face-masks-for-viruses/.


This claims the simple "single use" "mask is not cleanable but that two more complex masks are.


Does anyone know if a microwave would directly neutralise COVID19 (or other ) viruses held in fabric / plastic mask filters?


The reference above mentions microwaves in terms of generating heat from a water bath, on which a mask is placed.


If there was a clinically approved method it could be useful.

Hi Kenneth,


 My concern would be a microwave would destroy the static electric deposits that filter the viral load in the ones I mentioned. I think you'd need specialist knowledge of the mechanisms used to evaluate that with microwaves.


Regarding the cleaning of other types of mask and other PPE, I see no reason why that shouldn't be appropriate. If it were microwave proof, i.e. not going to shrivel up like a crisp packet... and didn't contain metallic hinge pins. Then in theory it should kill anything biological in pretty short order. That might offer an option for more delicate materials, the static based masks are quite solidly constructed from my brief reading. That's half the problem, you have to penetrate the mask to sterilise it at depth. However, something lighter and less solid, with no EM involvement should be suitable for a microwave. The question will be whether the Covid is heated due to it's own molecular construct/carrier construct being excited by the RF, or whether it is heated by the material it's on being heated. If the material has to reach high temperatures, that could be a problem. If the Covid itself is heated by the RF, then you could blast it quite quickly with an industrial microwave such as you'd probably find in most hospital kitchens.


Of course, we are in a hospital... we have X-ray generators! Could these be (ab)used?

I think at this point we need the input of an RF expert with biological expert.


Cheers


Rob

Kenneth Hattersley:

Good point. Has this ref any validity? https://consteril.com/covid-19-pandemic-disinfection-and-sterilization-of-face-masks-for-viruses/.


This claims the simple "single use" "mask is not cleanable but that two more complex masks are.


Does anyone know if a microwave would directly neutralise COVID19 (or other ) viruses held in fabric / plastic mask filters?


The reference above mentions microwaves in terms of generating heat from a water bath, on which a mask is placed.


If there was a clinically approved method it could be useful.