The film was developed by a group of researchers led by Wendelin Stark, assistant professor at the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering of ETH Zurich. The special feature of the film is that it is specifically targeted against bacteria.
The preparation becomes active in a targeted manner and in the correct dose only if a bacterium is present. The silver adhering to the calcium phosphate is only released in a quantity corresponding to the amount of calcium phosphate consumed by the bacterium. This saves costs, is efficient and exposes patients to fewer potentially dangerous chemicals.
This coated film can be used in hospitals, which are hotspots for germ transmission. Door handles, beds or sanitary equipment onto which the self-disinfecting film is stuck could protect patients from hospital pathogens, which can lead to complications after surgical operations.
The film must be renewed from time to time, since the bacteria gradually consume and use up the calcium.
