American biotech uses SciAps X-505 in the fight against Covid-19

‍

When SciAps released the SciAps X-505 handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzer in January 2020, they never imagined that it would be deployed by a Texas company to fight the spread of a global pandemic. SciAps innovation has always been driven by the changing demands of elemental analysis in the 21st century, but this was a special opportunity. Allied BioScience turned to SciAps when they needed the right handheld XRF analyzer to verify the quality of SurfaceWise2, the world’s first and only EPA-approved surface coating that provides continuous protection against viruses and bacteria on surfaces, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This non-toxic continuously-active surface coating is applied electrostatically to provide always-on protection on treated surfaces. One of the first major applications has been with American Airlines, to break down the virus on high-touch areas like seats, armrests, tray tables and overhead bin doors.

‍> Read more: http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Boosts-Its-Clean-Commitment-With-Sustained-Virus-Killing-Coating-to-Help-Safeguard-Customers-From-Coronavirus-OPS-DIS-08/default.aspx

‍Allied BioScience’s chief marketing officer, Jessica Hilton, says that Allied BioScience purchased several SciAps handheld X-505 analyzers, just released earlier this year. Hilton has been working with CJ McLaughlin throughout the process. “CJ has been a great liaison between the two companies, and we are all big fans of CJ’s,” says Hilton.Before EPA approval, Allied BioScience sent SurfaceWise2 and the X-505 for tests at an independent lab. After the desired coating thickness was reached, the samples were cured overnight, then the X-505 measured the depth or layers of material and chemicals in the sample. SciAps created a dedicated pass/fail app that simplified the operation for the user, with data instantly sent to a cloud-based management system for real-time monitoring.“The SciAps XRF device shows that the product is still there and still effective,” McLaughlin says.​

> Read more: https://www.surfacewise.com/studies-resources/​

‍Hilton says they chose the SciAps newest analyzer because of its size, its data management capabilities, and its tailored apps, including predictive capability to determine when re-application will be necessary. The real-time monitoring of the surfaces will be crucial in keeping people safe during the pandemic.After the independent tests were completed, SurfaceWise2 earned emergency EPA approval for use in commercial areas in Texas. “We are thrilled to work closely with the EPA on approval for SurfaceWise2, which enables people to get back to living their lives,” said Allied BioScience CEO Michael Ruley. “This initial EPA approval clears the way to effectively protect people against COVID-19 as a residual solution proven to provide long-term, non-toxic surface protection from viruses, including coronaviruses.” SurfaceWise2 creates an invisible barrier on surfaces, which physically breaks down and kills virus cells. Allied BioScience’s chief science officer Maha El Sayed says that once SurfaceWise2 binds with a surface, “it creates a hostile environment for bacteria and viruses.”The team at Allied BioScience hopes that soon, more high-traffic areas will be protected, not only from Covid-19, but also from other highly contagious viruses. “We look forward to also seeing SurfaceWise2 used in offices, schools, gymnasiums and other high-traffic areas to support the nation in safely reopening,” El Sayed says.It's hoped that members of the public will also be able to purchase SurfaceWise2. Hilton says that SurfaceWise2 is water-based and is rated well in terms of its composition and toxicity. “What is great about this is that you apply it once and it works every moment in between no matter what else is happening on the surface,” says Hilton. “So, if you put all of your contaminated things on a table coated with SurfaceWise2, the product immediately begins reducing that level down to zero so the next person that comes in here doesn’t have to worry about a disinfection cycle in between.”Creating SurfaceWise2 has also led to a partnership between SciAps and Allied BioScience on the NASCAR Xfinity circuit. CJ McLaughlin, who is SciAps product specialist working with Allied BioScience, also competes in the Xfinity races. He drove the #78 SciAps /SurfaceWise2 car in Dallas on Oct. 24 and finished 20th, the highest NASCAR finish of his career so far. It has been an honor for SciAps to partner with Allied BioScience in this time of need. Together, American ingenuity and American technology will help reduce community spread of the Covid-19.

Independent Studies

Learn more about the amazing world of applications available to handheld LIBS and XRF

SciAps, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of handheld XRF and LIBS analyzers, able to measure virtually every element, in almost any material. These breakthrough instruments have been expanding applications for portable, in-field measurements of elements, minerals and compounds in every major industry around the world.