Melbourne researchers have developed a world-first plastic that kills viruses on impact, in a breakthrough that could protect everything from mobile phones to hospital surfaces by stopping the spread of germs.
Scientists at RMIT University have created a thin plastic embedded with microscopic structures that tear viruses apart on contact.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: World-first virus-killing plastic developed in Melbourne
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“This is one of the first actually to be able to kill viruses,” RMIT University’s Samson Mah said.
“Viruses, once they land on the surface, will be ruptured. And once they’re ruptured, they’re losing their infectivity,” RMIT Distinguished Professor Elena Ivanova said.
“We are not trying to replace chemical disinfectants or cleaning, but it’s more like working in the background to add another safety measures to help reduce diseases,” Mah said.
So far, the technology has been successfully tested on a common childhood influenza that causes bronchitis and pneumonia in children.
“It is able to inactivate around 90 per cent of the viruses in just about an hour,” Mah said.
The research is yet to leave the lab, but scientists hope the technology could be manufactured on a large scale in the future and be especially useful in hospitals and childcare centres where infectious diseases are a problem.
There’s potential for a wide range of uses, from hospital trays to elevator buttons, handrails to self-checkouts.
“Hopefully one day it could put into digital screens as well, like phone screens or digital kiosks,” Mah said.
Scientists believe the possibilities for their invention are endless.
