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Nano Technology
may make cleaning Toilets a thing of the Past
February 7th, 2006
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bathroom |
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Researchers
from the University of New South Wales, Australia, are
developing a coating that may make cleaning bathrooms less of a
chore.
The lead
researchers, Professors Rose Amal and Michael Brungs of the
ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, are hoping to apply a tiny
coating of titanium dioxide particles to keep the toilets
clean. Currently titanium dioxide is being used on outdoor
items like self-cleaning windows.
How does it work?
According to the scientists, ultraviolet light below a specific wavelength causes
electrons to excite, and this gives the effects of oxidation. This
oxidation disinfects better than commercial bleach. It makes it
better for sanitation as it is continually cleans, instead of waiting for
the janitor.
To further
keep the bathroom clean, nanoparticles kill the microbes and removes
organic compounds. The titanium dioxide contains
‘superhydrophilicity’. Superhydrophilicity makes it so
that liquid droplets do not form
on the surface. It makes the liquid run off, washing the
toilet in the process.
The
researchers are faced with one dilemma: making the titanium
dioxide coating work indoors. The coating is activated by ultraviolet
sunlight, and they will need to be able to activate the titanium dioxide
with indoor lighting. They are
trying to modify the chemical compound by adding other elements like
iron or nitrogen so it can use light of a longer wavelength.
Good news:
Currently the researcher’s have been able to get glass coated with the
new nanoparticles to kill Escherichia coli using light from an
indoor lamp. They have done this in lab-trials .
"If you've got
this on tiles or shower screens you don't need so many chemical
agents," says Professor Amal.
As exciting as
this research project is, and the potential for a self-cleaning
bathroom, at this time it is currently only in development. The
researchers estimate it will take about a year before it can be incorporated
into any manufacturing test runs. I can hardly wait for the day it
becomes available for the masses. It would be great for use in
hospitals and public bathrooms. It would be splendid to have a
clean bathroom that would clean itself.
By
Nicole Wilson
Best Syndication Staff Writer
Keywords and misspellings: nanotechnology
nano-technologies photonics nano-particles nano-material ulta violit
rays cleaning surfase tolets bath rooms |
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