title: A chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne bacterial inactivation using engineered water nanostructures.
abstract: Airborne pathogens are associated with the spread of infectious diseases and increased morbidity and mortality. Herein we present an emerging chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne pathogen inactivation. This technique is based on transforming atmospheric water vapor into Engineered Water Nano-Structures (EWNS)viaelectrospray. The generated EWNS possess a unique set of physical, chemical, morphological and biological properties. Their average size is 25 nm and they contain reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. In addition, EWNS are highly electrically charged (10 electrons per particle on average). A link between their electric charge and the reduction of their evaporation rate was illustrated resulting in an extended lifetime (over an hour) at room conditions. Furthermore, it was clearly demonstrated that the EWNS have the ability to interact with and inactivate airborne bacteria. Finally, inhaled EWNS were found to have minimal toxicological effects, as illustrated in an acutein-vivoinhalation study using a mouse model. In conclusion, this novel, chemical free, nanotechnology-based method has the potential to be used in the battle against airborne infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pyrgiotakis
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDevitt
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bordini
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deloid
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lenard
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fix
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizuyama
authors.affiliation: Panasonic Corporation, Osaka, 571-8686, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brain
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demokritou