Every day, we touch countless surfaces—our kitchen counters, public transport handrails, work desks, and even our smartphones. Unfortunately, those surfaces can harbor nasty viruses and germs. The most common way we get sick is by touching contaminated surfaces and then our eyes, nose, or mouth.
Cleaning surfaces with chemical disinfectants is common, but these can lose effectiveness over time. They can also harm the environment and contribute to antimicrobial resistance, where germs stop responding to medications due to overexposure.
In a recent study published in Advanced Science, my team and I developed a new type of surface. It’s made of thin plastic with nanoscale features that mimic the wings of certain insects. These structures can physically break apart viruses like human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3). This approach offers a low-cost and scalable way to enhance hygiene on everyday items, from smartphones to medical equipment.
Traditional disinfecting methods involve making surfaces wet for a time to effectively kill germs. This can be tricky in busy environments. Moreover, surfaces can quickly become contaminated again when used by others. Often, chemical disinfectants can damage equipment and the environment, as well research shows.
Some attempts have been made to create antiviral surface modifications. Many of these use materials like graphene and natural agents. However, these innovations pose health risks and can lead to environmental challenges due to chemical leaching.
Our journey toward a virus-busting surface started over ten years ago. Initially, we wanted to create a super-smooth surface that would make germs slide off. Surprisingly, we found this doesn’t work as well as we hoped. Bacteria actually cling to very smooth surfaces! Nature offers better examples, like the wings of cicadas and dragonflies, which naturally kill bacteria. This led us to discover that it’s the surface’s structure, not just its chemistry, that makes the difference.
Through earlier experiments, we found that surfaces with tiny spikes can destroy viruses upon contact. However, rigid materials limited their application. In our latest study, we developed a lightweight film covered in ultra-fine pillars. This nanotextured surface feels smooth but effectively stretches and ruptures viruses, neutralizing them through mechanical force.
Lab tests showed that up to 94% of hPIV-3 particles were destroyed within an hour of contact with our new material. We learned that the spacing between the nanopillars was critical; pillars about 60 nanometers apart worked best.
This new material can easily be scaled for industrial use, from food packaging to hospital tools. While these nanostructured surfaces offer promising potential in combating viruses, they will still degrade over time. Nonetheless, they provide an exciting alternative to chemical cleaning methods and could reshape our approach to hygiene.
