New surface set to 'revolutionise' office cleaning, Office Cleaning

New surface set to 'revolutionise' office cleaning - 10/07/2008

Office cleaning could be set to get easier following the development of a new antimicrobial coating that claims to prevent germs spreading.

According to scientists at Auburn University in the US, they have created a new surface formed out of super-strong nanotubing and the antibacterial lysozyme chemical.

Lead developer Virginia Davis, suggested that the new surface could revolutionise the way commercial cleaners prevent the spread of infection.

She said: 'Disinfection generally requires rigorous cleaning with solvent that must remain wet for a given period of time to ensure that surface germs are killed.

"In contrast, we have created a surface that is inherently antimicrobial, so how long it is wet is not an issue."

Lysozyme could also have minimal environmental impact on humans, as it occurs naturally and can be found in egg yolks, tears and commercial products such as mouthwash.