|
| Andhra Pradesh ~ India ~ International ~ City ~ Entertainment ~ Business ~ Bullion ~ Forex ~ Sports ~ Technology ~ Health ~ Features |
|
Home
/ Technology News / 2008 / July 2008 / July 21, 2008 Body armour Kevlar set to get germ-fighting virtues |
Stem cell heart surgery may spell the end for transplantation
British scientists have developed a new technique that can rebuild a severely damaged heart, and one day, might replace the need for transplantation. ANI
A new insight into the turbulent atmosphere of Venus
New images taken by instruments on board ESAs (European Space Agencys) Venus Express have provided insight into the turbulent atmosphere of our neighbouring planet. ANI
ESA tests laser to measure atmospheric CO2
A recent ESA (European Space Agency) campaign has demonstrated how a technique using lasers could be employed to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. ANI
Being strong, lightweight and fire resistant, Kevlar is considered an ideal material for protective clothing worn by firefighters, police and other emergency workers. Now researchers from University of South Dakota are planning to add another virtue to its list - germ-fighting.
Washington, July 21 : Being strong, lightweight and fire resistant, Kevlar is considered an ideal material for protective clothing worn by firefighters, police and other emergency workers. Now researchers from University of South Dakota are planning to add another virtue to its list - germ-fighting.
Researchers Yuyu Sun and Jie Luo have developed a new method of coating Kevlar with a substance called acyclic N-Halamine, which would help fight germs. The PMAA coating is believed to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antispore functions.
They tested it against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida tropicalis (a fungus), MS2 virus, and Bacillus subtilis spores (to mimic anthrax).
The team found that after a short time, large amounts of microorganisms stuck to untreated fabric samples, but the coated fabrics showed little to no adherence of the germs.
Moreover, the coating is long lasting and can be reactivated if needed.
"The resultant fabric materials provided potent, durable, and rechargeable biocidal activities," Live Science quoted the researchers, as saying.
"The excellent thermal and mechanical properties of the original Kevlar fabrics were successfully retained after the coating treatment."
he findings would be reported in the Aug. 6 issue of the American Chemical Society's journal Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research.
ANI
