University of Malta researchers, at the Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition (Faculty of Health Sciences) and at the Metamaterials Unit (Faculty of Science), are working on project SANITAS - infectiouS diseAse preventioN usIng plasma acTivAted solutions - as part of the Maltese national effort to address the emerging challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SANITAS is a COVID-19 R&D project funded by Malta Council for Science and Technology and Malta Enterprise Corporation. The SANITAS core team consists of Prof. Vasilis Valdramidis, Prof. Ruben Gatt, Dr Sholeem Griffin and Dr Jefferson De Oliveira Mallia.
"The project proposes a novel method of manufacturing disinfectant by utilising cold atmospheric plasma to generate sterile plasma-activated solutions," said Professor Vasilis Valdramidis, one of the core team members.
"The effective plasma-activated solutions formulations will be certified to allow for their use as a disinfectant in a domestic and medical setting against bacteria, fungi and viruses," he continued.
Professor Vladramidis highlighted the fact that SANITAS will contribute towards developing an R&I ecosystem and steer Malta and the EU towards the utilisation of more sustainable solutions by conducting world-class and world-leading research in this field.
Project SANITAS was launched at the end of December 2020 and will run for 18 months.
More information about the project and its activities can be found at sanitasmt.wordpress.com.