A new "wet-etching" metal treatment on surfaces is set to be trialled on trolleys, beds, and other hospital equipment in Brisbane hospitals in the hope of finding a way to reduce hospital infection rates.
QUT medical devices specialist Professor Prasad Yarlagadda said the study would build on work completed by himself and Professor Kirsten Spann on nanostructured surfaces that deactivate viruses and bacteria within hours.
That research was published last year, but the researchers have prioritised further study on the "wet-etching" technique during the pandemic in a bid to tackle the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19.
The process tested on aluminium alloys uses strong etching solutions to roughen the surface of the metal or alloy, creating nanostructures that are not able to be felt but deactivate numerous viruses.
Professor Yarlagadda said the nanostructured surfaces were also a natural solution, particularly useful in public spaces with large numbers of people such as hospitals, airports, and public transport.
He said finding natural ways to neuter viruses was important given the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the research could be critical in future pandemics.
The simple wet-etching technique gives surfaces a nanoscale roughness that people cannot feel, but which kills a range of bacteria and viruses,” Professor Yarlagadda said.
"We have tested the nanomechanical properties of the etched surfaces and found the nanopillars can withstand much larger forces than those applied by the hand.
"Since the process involves strong solvents, the etched surfaces have to be installed as end-products rather than treated in-situ."
He noted that researchers still do not have a full understanding of why the nanostructured metal surfaces worked.
Testing the nanostructured metal surfaces in hospitals is the next step to assess their effectiveness.
It comes after receiving a $500,000 grant from the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.
Hopes for reducing hospital infections
Metro North Hospital and Health Service clinician Professor Michael Schuetz said the surfaces could help reduce the labour-intensive work of hospital cleaning and reduce the risk of transmitting infections from lift buttons, trolleys, and other high-risk equipment.
If the tests show reductions in infection rates, Professor Schuetz said in the long-term it could be applied to all hospital equipment and possibly medical devices.
"We are starting with surfaces, external surfaces, with trolleys and railings," he said.
"Obviously this could also be something later on for medical devices which go into the body. But those are different regulatory processes."
Another form of the technology developed by the QUT team can be used on the titanium used in implants and surgical equipment.
