charge) properties. Finally, limits (e.g., unknown long-term toxicity), advantages (e.g., high and wide spectrum virucidal activity), and perspectives will be discussed with particular attention to the applications in viral pandemics (e.g., HIV, SARS, and influenza viruses). This review is addressed to material and biomaterials scientists who are interested in antiviral research. We acknowledge that application of HNMs as antiviral agents is st