Researchers from Northwestern University have created a viscous and transparent material capable of capturing aerosol droplets from the air, thereby reducing the airborne transmission of infectious diseases like COVID-19.

The material, a clear, viscous liquid consisting of polyelectrolyte polymer, could potentially be painted on surfaces — including steel, metal, textiles, plastic, wood, stainless steel and concrete, among others — where droplets expelled via talking, laughing, coughing, exhaling or singing can be captured by the coating, absorbed and, eventually, dried up.

A 3D image shows crater-like features generated by the captured droplets. Source: Northwestern University

During testing of the coating, researchers determined that the new material captured three times more aerosol droplets than untreated surfaces. As such, the team proposes applying the coating to the surfaces of plexiglass barriers erected in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, face shields, walls, curtains and other low-touch surfaces.

The coating is detailed in the journal Chem.