Calculations of energy deposition and ionization in the 2019 novel coronavirus by electron beam irradiation

Abstract

Using Monte Carlo methods, this study investigates energy deposition of energetic electrons and ionization in the 2019 novel coronavirus by electron irradiation, which are important characteristic quantities related with biological damage formation. The inelastic scattering of low-energy electrons (<10 keV) was calculated by dielectric theory. The optical energy-loss functions of viral proteins and RNA were derived from an empirical method in the energy-loss range <40 eV and the calculation of optical parameters of the biomolecules. The densities and distributions of energy deposition and ionization were calculated from the stopping power and inelastic cross-sections in the electron-cascade simulation. Electrons with primary energies of approximately 1–3 keV produced significant energy deposition and ionization in the target coronavirus. More energetic electrons were less effective due to the larger electron range and fewer scattering events in the coronavirus.

Proposal on the use of Xenon-133 against COVID-19

“…Xenon-133, an inert gas, releases as part of its decay profile Ultra-low-energy electrons (ULEE), conversion, beta and Auger electrons ( Kocher, 1988 ) generally termed Auger electrons. Some of these ULEEs are close to the energies of electrons cited in recent published Monte Carlo calculations on electron beam irradiation ( Zhang et al, 2020 ) as having produced optimal energy deposition and ionization in the target coronavirus.…”

Inactivation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus with electron beam irradiation under cold chain conditions

“…Zhang et al. used Monte Carlo methods to simulate energy deposition and electron radiation ionization of high-energy electrons in SARS-CoV-2; these are important characteristic quantities related to the induction of biological damage ( Zhang et al, 2020 ). The theoretical calculation provided basic physical information for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation by E-beam irradiation.…”

Gamma Irradiation of Plukenetia volubilis L. Seeds Promotes Several Changes during Its Germination and Vegetative Growth

“…Songsri et al [32] showed that germination percentages in Jatropha curcas reduced from 82.5% with 0 Gy (control) to 4.0% at 100 Gy, while irradiations higher than 600 Gy resulted in 0%. Similarly, Zhang et al [33] reported that the application of radiation doses higher than 600 Gy results in the total decrease in wheat seed germination percentage (0%). Generally, the decrease in germination percentage with high amounts of radiation is related to a delay in nutrient transport to the embryo, a decrease in respiration rate, and a decrease in the number of internal regulators [34].…”