PhysOrg keeps itself clean with shirts, towels and unmentionables that’ll remain germ-free for good:
University of Georgia researcher [Jason Locklin… an assistant professor of chemistry in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences] has invented a new technology that can inexpensively render medical linens and clothing, face masks, paper towels — and yes, even diapers, intimate apparel and athletic wear, including smelly socks — permanently germ-free.
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“The advantage of UGARF’s technology over competing methods,” said [Gennaro Gama, UGARF senior technology manager], “is that the permanent antimicrobial can be applied to a product at any point of the manufacture-sale-use continuum. In contrast, competing technologies require blending of the antimicrobial in the manufacturing process.”
“In addition,” said Gama, “If for some reason the antimicrobial layer is removed from an article—through abrasion, for example—it can be reapplied by simple spraying.”
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Locklin said the antimicrobial was tested against many of the pathogens common in healthcare settings, including staph, strep, E. coli, pseudomonas and acetinobacter. After just a single application, no bacterial growth was observed on the textile samples added to the culture—even after 24 hours at 37 degrees Celsius.