New antimicrobial treatment keeps materials 'germ free'

The antimicrobial technology is said to work on natural and synthetic materials and can be applied during the manufacturing process. According to the university, it doesn’t come out in the wash, nor does it require repeated applications.

‘The spread of pathogens on textiles and plastics is a growing concern, especially in healthcare facilities and hotels, which are ideal environments for the proliferation and spread of very harmful microorganisms, but also in the home,’ said Jason Locklin, the inventor, who is an assistant professor of chemistry in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and on the Faculty of Engineering.

The antimicrobial treatment invented by Locklin is claimed to kill a wide spectrum of bacteria, yeasts and moulds that can cause disease, break down fabrics, create stains and produce odours.

‘Similar technologies are limited by the cost of materials, use of noxious chemicals in the application or loss of effectiveness after a few washings,’ said Gennaro Gama, UGARF senior technology manager. ‘Locklin’s technology uses ingeniously simple, inexpensive and scalable chemistry.’