EP 992B - New Technology Provides Antiviral Protection for High-Touch Surfaces

Biological warfare technology born at West Texas A&M University, that was originally developed to protect soldiers from anthrax, has been re-adapted and deployed across campus to protect door handles from viruses and bacteria.

Doors across West Texas A&M University soon will receive Copper Clean stickers over handles and push plates. The stickers -- essentially a highly engineered copper-alloy foil with an adhesive backing -- are the newest product developed by Engineering Dean Emily Hunt and a group of ambitious graduate engineering students working to commercialize patents they have obtained for West Texas A&M University and The Texas A&M University System.

Along with standard infection control practices, these stickers will help alleviate the microbial burden on these high-touch surfaces across campus.

Dr. Hunt joins Dr. Roizen to explain the technology and how it works.

Want better health and nutrition? Now you can get personalized supplement recommendations and custom vitamin packs delivered to your door! Go to PersonaNutrition.com/Roizen and take your free assessment and get 50% off your order today. - sponsor

Persona logo



 
Bonus
How to Navigate Major Change During The Pandemic
EP 992B - New Technology Provides Antiviral Protection for High-Touch Surfaces
Featuring:
Emily Hunt, PhD
Dr. Emily Hunt joined the College of Engineering in 2005. She received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University in 2001, 2002 and 2005, respectively.

Teaching and Related Service
Dr. Hunt teaches primarily in the thermal fluid sciences including fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. She is the author of Nanostructured Metallic Alloys: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications and the popular children’s book Engineering Elephants. She has coauthored several publications and has made numerous presentations as an invited speaker, both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Hunt is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, Materials Research Society, and the American Society of Engineering Education and serves as the adviser for the student sections of ASME and SWE at WTAMU.

Research and Creative Activity
Dr. Hunt's research interests include energetic/explosive material reactions and synthesis, high-speed infrared imaging, and engineering education and assessment. She currently holds two patents for work in developing novel nanostructured materials.

Personal Sketch
Dr. Hunt is a graduate of Canyon High School and enjoys being home again at WTAMU. She is actively involved at Hillside Christian Church and Canyon Education Foundation. Her interests include reading and spending time with her family.