New material can kill 96% of viruses

The new material was inspired by dragonflies and cicadas because these animals have nano-spikes on their wings that can kill bacteria and fungi.

To the naked eye, the surface of the material looks like a flat black mirror, but in fact, the researchers designed nano-spikes that kill viruses on it. Using ion streams to cut sections of a thin silicon wafer, the team created a surface with spikes just 290 nanometers high and spike tips just 2 nanometers thick, about 30,000 times thinner than a human hair.

The team claims the microscopic spikes can kill up to 96% of viruses, enough to protect most healthy people from many pathogens that can be transmitted through contact with surfaces. The material could be used in hospitals, scientific labs and other places that require sterility.

The scientists tested four different strains of influenza virus (hPIV-3), which causes diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia and croup. "This material could be incorporated into common devices and surfaces to prevent the spread of viruses and reduce the need for disinfectants. After six hours, there was virtually no virus activity on the surface of the new material," said Natalie Borg, a molecular biologist at RMIT.

If the material is widely produced and used in healthcare settings, it could make a huge difference, as hPIV is responsible for one-third of acute respiratory illnesses, especially in children. The team plans to continue testing other configurations of the material and on other viruses.