The sonochemical coatings developed by Prof. Aharon Gadenkan were included in the list of the 10 most important discoveries in chemistry for 2021
The World Union of Chemists IUPAC included the sonochemical coatings developed by Prof. Aharon Gadenkan from the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials at Bar-Ilan University in the list of the 10 most important discoveries in chemistry for 2021. The nanotechnological coatings, produced by a sonochemical method, help defend against infections, including the corona virus.
Sonochemistry is a method in which sound waves are transmitted through a liquid and enable various chemical interactions. Nanotechnological materials used for research and development in the field of applied chemistry can be produced through sonochemistry. Throughout his long years as a researcher, Prof. Gdankan developed methods for coating surfaces using sonochemistry. The coating, which can be applied to a very large variety of materials, gives the surface desirable properties. Over the years, Gdankan's research group has dealt, among other things, with bactericidal coatings that were applied to fabrics for bedding and clothing in hospitals. The coatings have proven to be very durable.
The secret of their durability lies in the fact that in the biochemical process, hollow bubbles are formed inside the liquid which at a certain point collapse in on themselves. The collapse causes a tiny point in the bubble to reach very high temperatures that enable chemical processes. The materials that are created in the process move at an enormous speed in the liquid and "shoot" themselves into the solid surface in it, for example fabric. In this way, the antibacterial nanochemical material is embedded in the fabric, does not release from it and continues to protect against bacteria.
The sonochemical coating method is also used to protect against viruses and has proven itself to be an effective shield against various viruses, including flu and corona.
The materials developed by Prof. Gdankan are applied to fabrics, surfaces, air filters and other materials that protect the users from various pollutants and have proven themselves in many studies, including those carried out in hospitals around the world.
