Cell phones are dirty objects. According to cleaning blog Deb, a smartphone’s display consists of at least 25,000 terms. This is even filthier than a toilet seat, as the seat often gets sanitized. It was easier for bacteria to accumulate within physical buttons before. Smartphones featuring touch screens are prevailing now. There’s been a rapid progress in the past couple of years, and there are fewer areas on handsets for bacteria to grow. A research team from Karolinska Institute (Stockholm) recently listed the benefits of touchscreen technology.
Experiment on smartphones
The team has been carrying out experiments on smartphones consisting of plastics. According to a report by Tech Radar, they have even come up with a way to prevent the growth of bacteria on smartphones. During the experiment, they were able to introduce newer electrons on the surface of the handset, which would eliminate the spread of germs. Bacteria usually takes lesser time to multiply, especially after they land on any surface. Smartphones are the major breeding ground for them, as they are often placed in one position without any special disturbance for a long period of time.
What is “biofilming”?
Once they get hold of the right place on any electronic device, they began multiplying.
This form of multiplication is called “biofilming” of bacteria. Once this happens, it is straightforward for them to travel from one place to another. The leader of the research carried out by Karolinska Institute, Ms. Agneta Richter-Dahlfors is of the opinion that by singularly introducing certain elements in plastic, one could discourage the growth of bacteria.
If the bacteria lands on the surface consisting of these electronics, replication is almost impossible, she said. “They have nowhere to deposit their own electrons which they need to do in order to respire,” she added.
At the same time, a completely opposite voltage can give rise to the spread of bacteria. These germs are capable of depositing their own electrons, which can fight off any other material.
They also provide them the energy to multiply quickly. To counter this, the researchers tried making use of different types of coatings. They even attempted eradicating the biofilming using medical tools. Till now, they are still working on a full-proof innovation that can prevent the spread of bacteria. Their research can be used by wastewater management, which actually requires biofilms to create clean water.
