By Handan Sema Ceylan
Erciyes University’s new nano-silver biological disinfectant received approval for use in the sterilization of Boeing and Airbus planes. Titled Nanoksia, Erciyes University’s novel product became one of the few disinfectants in the world to get approval to be used in the Boeing and Airbus fleet, according to Professor Dr. Dilek Demirezen Yilmaz, board member at the Nanobiotech R&D Innovation Medical Products and a Professor at the Erciyes University Department of Science.
The concept of air safety has branched into two periods: the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic. While the airline sector waits patiently for borders to reopen, scientists are working relentlessly to develop new products that would make flying safer. Nanoksia, a combination of herbal-synthesis nano-silver and 99.95% pure water, has already been exported to Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Germany. Belgium, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are next in line.
The team behind the product participated in the Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP), organized jointly by the United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO) and Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). “Our project was among the final 200 and we commercialized it through that recognition,” said Yilmaz. After that, the branding and patenting process of Nanoksia began. With the establishment of Nanoksia Biyoteknoloji AS, the company began selling the product.
The active agent in the product, nano-silver, is one of the things that differentiates Nanoksia from other disinfectants, according to Yilmaz. The material that keeps the silver stable in the mixture consists solely of plant extract. “So, you can as well call it a herbal tea,” Yilmaz jokes. The main mixture of the solution is distilled, meaning pure water.
Nanoksia was produced after an 11-year long innovation effort. “We predicted there would be a need for products like Nanoksia,” Yilmaz said. The public patenting process of the product has been completed while the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) process is ongoing. Nanoksia is suitable to use by those who have allergies or a sensitive immune system, according to Yilmaz.
The virus efficiency tests, including COVID-19, have been carried out in Italy. Nanoksia eliminates bacteria with 99.9% efficiency between a period of 30 seconds and five minutes. It’s not harmful to breath in so it can be used indoors. “We have a manufacturing license from the Ministry of Health,” Yilmaz said, adding that the product was subject to testing in Miami and received an SMI certificate. This means that the company is among the three or four companies whose products are available to be used in Airbus and Boeing airplanes. “As you know, air safety is a very sensitive matter right now and we produced a very rare product that was approved by key authorities,” Yilmaz said.
NEXT STOP: TEXTILE SECTOR
The developers of Nanoksia are currently working on a collaborative R&D project with one of Turkey’s top textile companies. “This textile company will soon begin manufacturing a disinfectant fabric which is effective even after gentle washing,” Yilmaz said, adding that we should expect the Nanoksia Disinfectant to become a permanent fixture in our everyday lives, from linen to clothes. “We will allow everyone to take advantage of this formula.”
