Helena Prado Felgueiras, researcher at the Centre for Science and Textile Technology (2C2T)​ of the School of Engineering, won the first place, along with the Italian researcher Matteo Beccatelli, in the third edition of the Elsa Piana Award.

The project developed by Helena Felgueiras, entitled “Inhibition of the Escherichia MS2 virus, mimic of SARS-CoV-2, by fibers loaded with essential oils: the next step in antiviral protection masks”, won the prize money of ten thousand euros.

The Elsa Piana Award, organized by the Association Tessile and Salute and the company Tintoria Piana US, had this edition dedicated to the prevention of outbreaks of biological agents, and in particular to possible improvements in personal protective equipment, in terms of effectiveness and comfort.