Role of Surface Energy and Nano-Roughness in the Removal Efficiency of Bacterial Contamination by Nonwoven Wipes from Frequently Touched Surfaces
- Submitting institution
-
The University of Huddersfield
- Unit of assessment
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output identifier
- 50
- Type
- D - Journal article
- DOI
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10.1080/14686996.2017.1288543
- Title of journal
- Science and Technology of Advanced Materials
- Article number
- -
- First page
- 197
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 1468-6996
- Open access status
- Compliant
- Month of publication
- February
- Year of publication
- 2017
- URL
-
-
- Supplementary information
-
-
- Request cross-referral to
- 8 - Chemistry
- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
-
- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
-
6
- Research group(s)
-
-
- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) are responsible for substantial patient morbidity, mortality and economic cost to healthcare providers. One of the most important infection control strategies for reducing rates of transmission include the use of wipes to remove pathogenic bacteria from frequently touched surfaces. Pre COVID-19 data shows HAIs were directly associated with more than 37,000 deaths in Europe and affect more than four million patients every year. This has risen significantly during the pandemic signifying the importance of research in this area. This work investigates the role of surface activation of the most abundant biopolymer, cellulose, and their interaction with microorganisms E. coli, S. aureus and E. faecalis, before and after surface treatment. This knowledge will be important for designers involved in developing sustainable products for the future, such as products for Single-Use Plastic (EU) 2019/904 directive compliance.
In collaboration with Leeds Teaching hospitals NHS Trust, this research considers the design of hospital wipes to reduce Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). To compare and contrast cellulose and Poly Propylene, non-functionalised and functionalised, different analytical techniques were used from bacterial removal efficiency using bacterial strains E. coli (ATCC 25922), S. aureus (ATCC 29213) and E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) to using Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF SIMS) to measure the surface roughness of the material as a result of plasma treatment.
This work will inform wipe designers whilst developing their HAI interventions. Professor Goswami was involved in the conceptualisation of this research project, the research planning, methodology planning and experimental plans, analysis of the results, critical discussions, and writing the research papers.
This research sits within the fields of technical textiles and materials science.
- Author contribution statement
- -
- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
- -