TOOL TIME
Innovative treatment prevents spread of bacteria across metal surfaces BY CHRIS ADAM
TOOL
A TREATMENT THAT KILLS BACTERIA
WHAT DOES IT DO
THE TECHNOLOGY APPLIES PRIMARILY TO FOOD PROCESSING AND CUTTING SURFACES, WHICH CAN BE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO BACTERIA GROWTH 3RESEARCHERS at Purdue University have developed technology to create a hard metal surface that kills bacteria that try to attach to the surface.
WHO WOULD USE IT
FOOD PROCESSING BUSINESSES 3 THIS image shows a peptide release test, with the increased purple colour showing more peptides being released.
THE COST
CONTACT PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION OFFICE
MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT OTCIP@PRF.ORG OR CLADAM@PRF.ORG
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WA Grower SPRING 2020
RESEARCHERS AT PURDUE University have developed a treatment to infuse a hardened metal surface with naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. The Purdue team’s technology creates a hard metal surface that kills bacteria that try to attach to the surface.
“When we create an oxidised metal surface with nanometre-wide and micrometre-deep cracks, peptides can be infused in these microscopic cracks with a simple wet process,” said David Bahr, head and professor of materials engineering at Purdue, who leads the team.