A revolutionary new plastic could help to prevent bacteria and superbugs causing disease and illness. Scientists have developed a new kind transparent, plastic wonder-wrap. They say it will drastically cut incidences microbe transfer hospitals, restaurants, kitchens, bathrooms and other places where bugs lie wait. The plastic was created researchers McMaster University Canada. They say their material can repel all forms bacteria, including superbugs like MRSA. The material is a conventional transparent wrap used to cover food. It can be shrink-wrapped to protect places that attract bacteria, worktops, door handles, taps, hospital equipment and food containers.
The researchers said the inspiration their new material came the lotus plant. They attempted to replicate the method which the leaves of this plant repelled water. Drops of water either sit the surface the leaves or bounce . Researcher Leyla Soleymani wanted to apply that process to the new plastic. She said: "We're structurally tuning that plastic. This material gives us something that can be applied to all kinds things." Another researcher, Tohid Didar, said: "We can see this technology being used all kinds of institutional and domestic settings. As the world confronts the crisis anti-microbial resistance, we hope it will become an important part the anti-bacterial toolbox."
