New antimicrobial coatings for bacteria-free surfaces

(Image: Pixabay CC0) Preventing the transmission of microbial infections is a global issue. This is especially true in environments where bacteria are easily transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces. A research team led by the University of Freiburg has developed an antimicrobial coating that reduces the bacterial population by a factor of up to 10,000 within minutes . Self-disinfecting coatings used to modify surfaces can be applied by spray or immersion. They contain components that become active only on the surface. They eliminate bacteria after a few minutes of contact, thus reducing their transmission. This coating was developed in collaboration with the University Hospital of Zurich and the industrial partner Livinguard Technologies AG, on surfaces made of cotton (clothing), nitrile rubber (protective gloves) and glass (tables, screens).