Nanocoating kills viruses, bacteria

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U.S. scientists say they have developed a nanocoating that kills or inactivates most viruses and bacteria when exposed to visible light.

Laboratory testing of the permanent nanocoating developed by researchers at North Carolina State University College of Textiles and Emory University School of Medicine showed the coating kills 99.9 percent of influenza viruses and 99.99 percent of vaccinia viruses that cause rash, fever, head and body aches.

The development, say the researchers, may lead to being able to protect oneself from virtually all viruses and bacteria by simply exposing a surface to light.

The technology was developed by Stephen Michielsen, associate professor in North Carolina State's College of Textiles, and Igor Stojiljkovic and Gordon Churchward, associate professors at Emory University.

North Carolina State has applied for a patent on the invention, which has been licensed to LaamScience Inc. The company - whose name stands for Light Activated Anti Microbials - is also developing a room air purifier that incorporates its nano-coated filter technology.

United Press International



Source: http://www.smalltimes.com/




This story was posted on 2nd November 2006.