Sharklet (material)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sharklet, manufactured by Sharklet Technologies, is a sheet-plastic product with a microscopic texture that impedes the growth of bacteria. It is manufactured for use in hospitals, restaurants, and other places where the potential spread of bacterial infections creates a hazard. Coating surfaces with Sharklet is seen to greatly reduce the growth of bacterial colonies, due solely to the nano-scale structure of the product.

The inspiration of the build of the texture of the coating was made by observing shark skin under microscope. Since sharks do not face biofouling, similar micro-structure in Sharklet repels microbial activity, thus maintaining hygiene.

History/Origin

Sharklet material was discovered by Dr. Anthony Brennan, material science and engineering professor at University of Florida at Pearl Harbor while trying to find new antifouling technology for ships and submarines.[1]

He realized that the only creature in the sea that didn’t foul was the shark and found that shark skin denticles are arranged in a distinct diamond pattern with millions of tiny riblets.[1] The width-to-height ratio that was measured for the shark denticle riblets corresponded to his mathematical model for the roughness of a material that would discourage microorganisms from settling. The first test performed showed an 85% reduction in green algae settlement compared to smooth surfaces.[1]

Design/Structure

Each Sharklet diamond measures approximately 22 µm (left to right), 16 µm tall (top to bottom of a diamond), and each riblet is about 3 µm in height. To put it into perspective, each Sharklet diamond is about 1/5th the width of a human hair. When this material is manufactured into to surface of another material, the microscopic pattern cannot be seen with the naked eye or felt to the touch.[1]

Properties

Sensorial Properties[2]

  • Translucence: 0-50%
  • Structure: Closed
  • Texture: Smooth
  • Hardness: Resilient
  • Temperature: Medium
  • Acoustics: Poor
  • Odor: None

Technical Properties[2]

  • Fire resistance: Unknown
  • UV Resistance: Moderate
  • Weather Resistance: Poor
  • Scratch resistance: Good
  • Weight: Light
  • Chemical Resistance: Moderate
  • Renewable: No

How it Works

Similar to algae, bacteria take root singly or colonize in small groups in order to establish large colonies or biofilms. The bacteria also wants to take the path of least energy resistance in order to attach and establish these colonies. Research done on Sharklet material suggests that the structure and roughness of the material keeps biofilms from forming due to the increase in energy needed to attach. This leads organisms to either leave and attach to a different structure that requires less energy or simply die out due to the inability to come into contact with other bacteria. Sharklet material has also shown to reduce the amount of bacteria that is transferred when touched. Another benefit of Sharklet is that its bacteria defense mechanism is purely due to its physical design, which doesn't give bacteria any opportunity to develop a resistance to it .[1]

Advantages of Sharklet Material

  • No risk for antimicrobial resistance. The shape and pattern alone are what defends the material from bacteria.[1]
  • Defense against multiple strains of bacteria. sharklet studies have shown it to be effective against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains. examples include, Staph a, MRSA, VRE, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli.[1]
  • Surfaces stay cleaner between cleanings.[1]
  • Could reduce costs due to improved hygiene. Hospital-acquired infections account for $30.5 billion in excess healthcare costs each year. Sharklet may reduce the risk of exposure to some of these disease-causing bacteria.[1]

Uses

Sharklet material's primary uses most often deal with hospitals and hospital equipment. One of Sharklet Technologies' primary products is the SharkletSafeTouch[1] , which is a hygienic disposable "skin" that is applied to the surfaces of high-tough and germ-prone areas.
Another product of Sharklet Technologies is a Sharklet-patterned urinary catheter that helps fight catheter-associated urinary tract infections.[1]
Sharklet Technologies is also currently developing products with the Sharklet pattern manufactured directly into the surfaces of outside equipment.

Sizes of Sharklet Material

The material may be manufactured in rolls of film that are cut into shapes for application to high-touch surfaces. It is manufactured in raw film in widths up to 54 inches and infinite lengths.[1]

Studies/Research

  • Experiments with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) show significantly less attachment and survival of MRSA and MSSA on the Sharklet surface compared to a smooth control surface after exposure to a highly concentrated suspension of the bacteria.[1]
  • Sharklet reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 100 percent versus a smooth surface after one hour of exposure simulating typical room conditions. Laboratory test performed on Sharklet on silicone elastomer.[1]
  • Sharklet reduces Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis by 99 percent versus a smooth surface after one hour of exposure simulating typical room conditions. Laboratory test performed on Sharklet on silicone elastomer.[1]
  • Another experiment with Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) demonstrated that if the surfaces are touched after the bacterial suspension is removed, only 16 percent of the bacteria are removed from a Sharklet surface while 67 percent of bacteria are removed from a smooth surface. This translates to 77 percent less bacteria removed from the Sharklet surface compared to a smooth control surface. The Sharklet surface effectively acts a trap for any surviving bacteria and renders a unique “quarantine-like” effect. Thus, the Sharklet surface not only prevents attachment and survival of organisms, but it also prevents the possibility of transferring pathogens off of the surface, offering greater protection for high-touch surfaces.[1]
  • Laboratory tests show that the micro-pattern disrupts several critical microbial colonizing processes that are necessary for bacteria to develop into a disease-causing biofilm. In static immersion tests, the patterned surface has shown to be able to reduce bacterial growth by 80 percent versus an untreated surface.[3]

References

http://www.sharklet.com/technology/

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Sharklet Technologies website
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 AGC Glass Unlimited
  3. ↑ "Sharklet Safetouch". Retrieved 26 April 2013. 

External links

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