Interplay between COVID-19 viruses and contact surfaces in the built environment

It was found in recent experiments that UK SARS-CoV-2 isolate are more persistent on hydrophobic surfaces. However, the molecular mechanisms are unclear. While surface treatment can mitigate or arguably prevent the transmission of viruses, our knowledge of the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 viruses and contact surfaces, especially in body fluid environment, is insufficient, hindering the design for the surfaces or disinfection methods to remove or destroy the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this research, we propose to elucidate the mechanisms for the interactions between viruses in different fluid compositions and different surfaces including graphene, cellulose and polymers by theoretical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. We will investigate the effects of pH, ionic and molecular solutes, surface charge and polarity and hydrophobicity on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 viruses and surfaces. Data from these simulations can be further developed into coarse-grained simulations to bridge microscopic details with experimental observations. The research will lay the foundation for he design of anti-virus surfaces and disinfectants that effectively remove the virus.