Plastic film covered in tiny pillars can tear apart viruses on contact
10 hours ago
- #nanotechnology
- #public health
- #antiviral surfaces
- A new plastic surface with nanopillars mimics insect wings and can physically rupture viruses like hPIV-3 by mechanical force.
- The material is lightweight, flexible, cost-effective, and scalable for use on phones, hospital equipment, and public surfaces.
- It offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical disinfectants, which can wear off, harm the environment, and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
- Lab tests showed up to 94% of hPIV-3 virus particles were destroyed within an hour of contact with the nanostructured surface.
- The discovery builds on over a decade of research into bactericidal surfaces, with nanopillar spacing being crucial for effectiveness.