Researchers explore new ways to neutralize germs using light-activated nanomaterials
Why it matters: A clear, light‑triggered shield could curb drug‑resistant infections in hospitals.
- Empa / Nanomaterials in Health Lab is creating light‑activated antimicrobial coatings that stay invisible on medical devices (per Wick).
- Peter Wick stresses the urgency of new infection controls as antibiotic resistance accelerates, and metal nanomaterials cause allergies and limited virus efficacy.
- Giacomo Reina adapted a graphene‑based material from Palacký University Olomouc into a tissue‑compatible, environmentally friendly coating that kills microbes only when illuminated.
- Palacký University Olomouc supplied the original graphene oxide inspiration, highlighting cross‑border collaboration in tackling antimicrobial challenges.
Researchers at Empa’s Nanomaterials in Health Lab, led by Peter Wick and chemist Giacomo Reina, have engineered ultra‑thin, transparent graphene‑oxide coatings that activate under light to kill bacteria and viruses, offering a potential alternative to failing antibiotics and metal‑based nanomaterials.
