Every day, we touch many surfaces, from kitchen counters to public transport handrails. This constant contact can spread harmful viruses and germs quickly. Typically, people become infected by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their face.
While chemical cleaners can disinfect surfaces, they often lose effectiveness, harm the environment, or contribute to antimicrobial resistance. In response, researchers have developed a novel plastic surface with tiny features that mimic insect wings. This design can physically damage such viruses as human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3).
The new material is cost-effective and scalable, making it suitable for use on commonly handled items like mobile phones and hospital equipment. Traditional cleaning methods involve applying disinfectant, which must remain wet for a certain time to be effective. However, this can be impractical, especially in busy environments, and surfaces can become recontaminated quickly.
Previous antiviral methods have involved adding materials like graphene to protective gear. While effective, these approaches can pose health and environmental risks, as they may leach harmful chemicals and diminish in effectiveness over time.
This latest research, which took over a decade to develop, focused on creating a lightweight and flexible surface that could burst viruses. The innovative material features thousands of tiny pillars that stretch viral membranes until they rupture, effectively killing the viruses.
Laboratory tests showed that up to 94% of hPIV-3 particles were destroyed within an hour of contact with the material. The design can be readily scaled for various industries, including food packaging and healthcare. Although challenges remain in creating completely germ-free surfaces, these nanotextured materials present a promising alternative to traditional chemical methods.
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