An invisible protective shield using nanotechnology to fight Covid-19 has been trialled at Dubai International Airport to encourage safer travel.
Areas operated by Emirates airline were sprayed with Nanoksi’s photocatalytic antimicrobial coating, which offers protection from all viruses for up to a year.
The coating, called Fotonit, is applied in a spray and uses energy from visible light to generate reactive oxygen peroxides, which in turn decompose all organic material.
Manual sanitation up to eight times a day is labour-intensive and expensive. Hopefully, the Dubai trial will become the concept for all other airports
Trial results will determine whether Emirates adopts the technology.
Nanoksi Finland’s chief executive, Dr Pasi Keinaenen, was involved in the research and development of the photocatalytic coating.
He said he hopes the trial will lead to airports around the world adopting the solution.
“Although it is light-activated it does not require ultraviolet light, so can be applied indoors,” he said.
“You cannot see or feel it; it is non-toxic and can be reapplied in high-abrasion areas every 12 months.
“It is purely initiating a natural reaction and does not contain any polymers, so it is highly resistant to high and low temperatures.
“Manual sanitation up to eight times a day is labour-intensive and expensive, so this is a much more efficient alternative.
“Hopefully, the Dubai trial will become the concept for all other airports around the world.”
Emirates airline, Airbus, Collins Aerospace, GE Aviation and Thales formed the Aviation X Lab partnership to promote innovation in aviation.
The Nanoksi spray was selected from 107 international entries for the Aviation X Lab Accelerate Traveller Wellbeing Challenge.
The competition invited companies to submit ready-for-market coronavirus-related products and solutions to bolster health and safety in the travel sector.
Developed in Finland, Nanoksi found that Fotonit reduced cases of norovirus and flesh-eating bacteria such as MRSA in hospitals and care homes.
Norovirus is estimated to cause about 200,000 deaths worldwide each year, while superbugs like MRSA are responsible for about 700,000 deaths annually, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Analysis of the effectiveness of the solution applied at Dubai International Airport is under way.
The technology was developed in 2017 and has been used in more than 2,000 places in eight countries, mostly in Europe.
Manufacturing and supply chains can increase production to suit global demand, should airport tests prove successful.
During the 10-week trial, Fotonit was used to disinfect Emirates waiting lounges, unaccompanied minor areas, airport buggies, limousines for business class, and the business and first-class lounges.
“Emirates airline chose to explore this project with us to see how we could secure the passenger journey from home and through the airport,” said Katja Boutou, Nanoksi’s director of global operations.
“Testing of the cleanliness of surfaces and the presence of microbes took place in certain areas of the airport managed by Emirates.
“Measurements were taken before the coating and then again a week after it was applied to assess its effectiveness in creating a Covid-free environment.
“This could have a huge impact in this region, particularly in Dubai as it is such a busy transit hub.”
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Michel Augier, regional director of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, said cleanliness is important to hotels and guests “like never before”. He was speaking at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market trade fair.
Dubai International Airport recently received Airport Health Accreditation for its health and safety measures to protect passengers and staff during the pandemic.
The Airports Council International awarded the status due to the measures under way at Dubai International Airport such as fumigation, periodic deep-cleaning, hand sanitiser stations and the use of protective Plexiglass screens at check-in and immigration counters.
“Businesses where this is used in Finland have seen a reduction in sick leave as staff are not picking up other viruses, so it saves money there,” Dr Keinaenen said.
“When Covid hit, it was obvious this was going to be a big area of growth for us.
“There is no way any organic material can be resistant to it, so it will protect against any future pandemics.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
RESULTS
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner RB Money To Burn, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Benbatl, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Kimbear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Platinum Star, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Key Victory, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
MATCH INFO
Aston Villa 1 (Konsa 63')
Sheffield United 0
Red card: Jon Egan (Sheffield United)
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Semi-final fixtures
Portugal v Chile, 7pm, today
Germany v Mexico, 7pm, tomorrow
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The finalists
Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho
Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson
Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid
Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola
