London, November 20 : A textiles scientist in the US has devised a way to kill flu viruses with the help of dyes that release highly reactive oxygen atoms.

Stephen Michielsen of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta says that upon being exposed to light, the dyes—such as prophyrins and fluoresceines—release oxygen radicals that have the ability to deactivate viruses.

He says that such oxygen radicals also have some anti-bacterial properties, reports New Scientist magazine.

The researcher has plans to embed the dyes in fibres, which can then be woven into textiles.

Michielsen says that such textiles could then be used to kill viruses in the filters of ventilation systems of hospitals, and in surgical masks.

He says that the fabric with virus-killing qualities may also be used in waiting-room wallpaper, military uniforms, and aircraft cabin upholstery. (ANI)