Viruses and Bacteria

To help combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, researchers have been experimenting for years with drug-free methods to blast disease-causing bugs. A new type of stainless steel does exactly that, in a convenient and affordable way.

Hospitals are meant to heal people, but patients often pick up superbugs during their stay. Scientists have now developed long-lasting antimicrobial coatings for textiles that could allow hospital curtains to quickly kill viruses and bacteria.

Although there are coatings that kill harmful microbes on frequently touched surfaces, most of those substances either have to be frequently reapplied, or they take a long time to work. A new coating, however, is claimed to address both shortcomings.

There are many parts of the world in which fresh water may be plentiful, but it's also full of harmful microbes. An experimental new filter is able to purify such water for drinking, and it's powered solely by sunlight.

​Washing the inside of a water bottle can be tricky, causing some people to wonder just how clean it really is. Well, CrazyCap is made to kill microbes by replacing a bottle's existing cap with one that shines UV light into the water. It can even be used to purify water that's collected on the go.