Engineered water nanostructures (EWNS): nanotechnology-based antimicrobial platform for air and surface disinfection

Overview

Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS) are a nanotechnology-based antimicrobial delivery platform developed at Rutgers University. The technology produces nanoaerosol particles consisting primarily of water that carry nanogram quantities of antimicrobial active ingredients. Due to their nanoscale size, high electrical charge, and extensive surface-area-to-volume ratio, EWNS particles are highly mobile and can be precisely targeted to pathogens in the air and on surfaces. Once they deliver their antimicrobial payload, the water-based structures dissipate, leaving no chemical residue. Unlike UVC or plasma-based disinfection methods, EWNS does not produce harmful byproducts such as ozone and can be safely used during human occupancy.

The platform has demonstrated broad-spectrum efficacy against clinically relevant pathogens, including Influenza H1N1 (5 log reduction on surfaces, 94% reduction in air), human coronavirus HCOV-229E (3.8 logs on surfaces), E. coli (~3 logs), S. aureus (~1 log), and bacteriophage MS2 (~2 logs), with exposure times under 30 seconds. Preliminary work has also shown potential for odor and VOC removal from fabrics, suggesting additional applications in indoor environmental quality.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Nano-carrier platform: EWNS particles deliver miniscule yet effective quantities of antimicrobial active ingredients to targeted pathogens
• High mobility and charge: Nanoscale size and strong electrical charge enable precise targeting and rapid pathogen interaction
• Residue-free: Primarily H2O composition means structures dissipate after delivery, leaving no chemical residue
• Safe during occupancy: Unlike UVC or plasma systems, EWNS does not generate ozone or other harmful byproducts
• Broad-spectrum efficacy: Validated against viral, bacterial, and bacteriophage pathogens on both surfaces and in air
• Rapid action: Demonstrated pathogen inactivation in exposure times of less than 30 seconds
• Scalable design: Future development aims to produce high-volume systems for air disinfection in real-world environments

Validation highlights:

• Influenza H1N1: 5 log reduction on surfaces, 94% reduction in air
• Human coronavirus HCOV-229E: 3.8 log reduction on surfaces
• E. coli: ~3 log reduction; S. aureus: ~1 log reduction; bacteriophage MS2: ~2 log reduction

Technology readiness level

EWNS has completed preliminary laboratory validation demonstrating strong antimicrobial efficacy against multiple pathogens on surfaces and in air. Current research aims to scale the technology through the development of a high-volume generation system, characterize the physico-chemical properties of the nano-aerosol particles using advanced analytical methods, and validate performance in an environmental test chamber challenged with pathogen bioaerosols. The technology is positioned at an early-to-mid stage of development, with proven proof-of-concept efficacy and active scale-up efforts underway.