CNET reported on a paint under development by researchers at Rice University and City College of New York. The trick is an ancient remedy that my unlce used to swear by (and probably still does). It’s silver. Nanoparticles of silver, to be exact. The trick is to insert these tiny particles into a vegetable oil based paint. Tests show the paint is “efficient” against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Traditionally, making nanoparticles from silver has been expensive. Researchers “devised a hydrocarbon soup that in turn helps form raw materials into nano-sized particles.” In other words, the researchers break down the silver into tiny particles, add it to the paint, and poof… antibacterial paint. “This means that the process is as simple as adding the metal salts to the oils and let the natural process occur, leading to a good dispersion of nanoparticles in the paints,” stated Pulickel Ajayah, one of Rice’s leading professors.
In summary, a vegetable oil based paint mixed with silver fights bacteria. Studies are ongoing, but the results look promising and the world of household green cleaning looks to have another great product. “The researchers added that the elements in the paint are fairly green and should also last longer than other organic pigment paints.”
credit: CNET Michael Kanellos
