Graphene, the material that consists of a one atom thick layer of carbons, is so impressive that its development was awarded a Nobel Prize in physics. To add to its abilities, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden used it to create microscopic spikes that kill bacteria upon contact. Because our native cells are generally much bigger than bacterial cells, the same spikes, working as a bed of nails, don’t seem to damage human tissue.
The technology surely has incredible potential for preventing the growth of bacterial infections on implants, particularly those used in orthopedics.
Here’s a cute little video from Chalmers University explaining the technology:
Study in Advanced Materials Interfaces: Vertically Aligned Graphene Coating is Bactericidal and Prevents the Formation of Bacterial Biofilms…
Via: Chalmers…