Working in collaboration with Professor Stuart Clarke of the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry as well as Professor Peter Fryer and Dr Zhenyu Jason Zhang from the University of Birmingham, they set out to design antiviral surfaces based on materials that would deactivate the viruses. In the process, the researchers also set up a special testing lab within CEB.

The embedded facility turns out to be useful for companies as well, which is where Cambridge Enterprise’s Consultancy Services team has been able to help. Cambridge Enterprise supported the lab’s work testing materials for eight companies, including one that is developing face-coverings with an anti-viral coating.

As well as following industry testing standards, the facilities at CEB aim for coronavirus applicability.