http://www.dailymail...infections.html

Usil

Interesting, but I wonder how effective this would be long term. In a fish's gills these chemicals would be constantly replaced, I would think using them on say a kitchen cutting board or a hospitals surgical instruments they would tend to wear off fairly quickly. Also would they stand up to cleaning detergents and autoclave temperatures? Not to say they couldn't I'm just curious if they will.

Meh. We sort of already know how to clean smooth surfaces. It's those pesky implanted catheters that are difficult to clean.
"The most common types of hospital-acquired infections are urinary tract infections (UTIs), ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical wound infections." <-- Note: Not included: Bacteria growing on flat dry surfaces. Of gold.

Read more: http://www.surgeryen...l#ixzz2DlIsc1tT

Next step: make a catheter coated in this stuff...

Edited by EricaWieser, 30 November 2012 - 09:20 PM.

Easier to simply coat one in honey.

We already have plastics that are antimicrobial and used in water systems. Seen as great design to be used in office water coolers they work great except for one thing - unless they are cleaned regularly the bio-film buildup that eventually occurs prevents water contact to the plastic and it defeats the anti-microbial action. The water industry found out that as virtually no one in the home or office actually clean their internal plastic parts for their water dispensers the bio-film build up defeats the antimicrobial action since the water soon only touches the bio film and not the resistant plastic. So, the system best works on items of short term use and routinely cleaned and disinfected after each use. Same would apply to what ever they use from the fish gill.

They are continuing to explore new uses like for tooth brushes, wash cloths and towels, etc...

These systems have been tested and do work as long as you keep them clean. In dry application use they work well as in protective long term containers for food or drugs.

Usil

Edited by Usil, 01 December 2012 - 12:13 AM.