In a breakthrough, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have developed a transparent coating for everyday items such as smartphones and door handles that may protect people against deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA and E coli.
The discovery could control the spread of superbugs which experts fear are on course to kill 10 million people every year by 2050 — more than will die from cancer, researchers said.
Using nanotechnology, the discovery is an effective and practical antimicrobial solution — an agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth — that can be used to protect a range of everyday items, according to researchers from Institute of Technology Sligo (IT Sligo) in Ireland. Items include anything made from glass, metallics and ceramics including computer or tablet screens, smartphones, ATMs, door handles, TVs, handrails, lifts, urinals, toilet seats, fridges, microwaves and ceramic floor or wall tiles, they said.
It will be of particular use in hospitals and medical facilities which are losing the battle against spread of killer superbugs, researchers said. Other common uses would include in swimming pools and public buildings, on glass in public buses and trains, sneeze guards protecting food in restaurants as well as in clean rooms in the medical sector.