SanFlex - Antipatogena polymerfilmer för pekskärm

Purpose and goal

The project aims to develop antipathogenic, flexible and transparent plastic films that can be used on computer and mobile electronic screens to reduce healthcare-related infections in healthcare. A new method for producing chemically modified transparent oxide films will be developed. The project aims to pave the way for safer healthcare facilities. Approximately 4 million people suffer from healthcare-associated infections per year in Europe, and are the single most deadly and costly side effect in healthcare, costing up to 6% of hospital budgets.

Expected effects and result

The results are expected to help reduce the spread of pathogens from high-traffic surfaces with a high risk of spreading infection, especially electronic screens. The project will contribute to technology development in medical technology and "green" thin film coating technology. New low-temperature coating methods will be developed, including photo-fixation of reactive gases. The global market for antimicrobial coatings is forecast to amount to USD 7 billion in 2024, which means that the project has the opportunity to generate growth and development for project partners.

Planned approach and implementation

Physical evaporation techniques will be developed to make transparent, antimicrobial oxides films on PET foils for electronic screens. Techniques that are available on lab scale will be modified, scaled up and combined in processes that can produce km2 / year. Nanocrystalline films will be produced with template-assisted growth and Flash-Lamp Annealing, FLA. Chemical surface modification of films is done with FLA in reactive gas environments. Function will be evaluated in hospital environment and by independent test institutes. Socio-eco analyzes and LCA will be performed.