Hygienic surfaces
2005/11/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
Microbial growth on any surface can cause erosion, dirt, odors, health problems and cleaning. Hence the interest in the development of so-called hygienic surfaces. Hygienic surfaces are surfaces with biocidal activity, easy to clean and can even become self-cleaning.
Obtaining these characteristics from a surface requires specific coatings and treatments in which nanotechnology plays an important role. In most of these surfaces, biocidal/self-cleaning properties are obtained from specific nanoparticles, mainly silver and titanium dioxide.
The Inasmet technology centre, within a European consortium, has participated in a hygienic surface development project. In fact, the development of these surfaces is very important in architecture and construction, the textile industry, heat exchangers, air conditioning circuits, hospitals, the food processing industry.
