Special Spiky Surface Kills Bacter and Viruses
Posted on January 4, 2007
The BBC reports that US scientists have discovered that special microscopic spiky surfaces that can be painted onto surfaces can kill bacteria and viruses. The hope is that the spiky surface could be painted onto a door knob or computer keyboard and kill any bacteria or viruses that touch or cross the painted area.
The researchers painted glass with long chains of molecules, called polymers, which anchored to the surface to form tentacle-like spikes.Professor Ian Jones, a microbiologist from Reading University, told the BBC that was was not sure the "tethered spikes" were actually piercing the bacteria and virus particles because a chemical reaction could be taking place instead. Jones also pointed out that it will be important to find out the "longevity of the effect." In other words, if you paint a toilet seat with the spiky surface how long will the toilet seat continue to destroy bacteria and viruses?When the team then applied the surfaces with E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (both common disease-causing forms of bacteria) and the influenza virus, they found the coating killed them with 100% efficiency within minutes.
The scientists said they believed the tethered spikes were inactivating the particles by rupturing their surfaces.
The team, based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, said many diseases were spread by particles that settle on surfaces and are subsequently touched by others.