Antimicrobial Coatings

Antimicrobial coatings can give major benefits in areas of healthcare, by helping to minimise the persistence and spread of microbes such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. Such coatings are seen as an addition to, and not a replacement for, the procedures in place for decontaminating and sterilising surgical equipment and operating theatre surfaces (such as disinfectants, autoclaving etc). Coatings can help minimise the ability of microbes to bind and start growing on surfaces that are exposed to patient body fluids during normal operating procedures. This can be achieved passively (through “non-stick” coatings, as described in the implants section) and actively (through the inclusion of coatings such as silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles that can kill microbes directly). Such coatings can also help minimise the accidental spread of disease from surface to surface to patient.

Silver nanoparticles are also making their way into the home. In recent years, major manufacturers such as Daewoo and LG have been coating the inside of their fridges with them. This anti-bacterial surface helps maintain a healthy, clean environment, and means the contents of the fridge stays fresh longer.