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Scientists create plastic that repels all bacteria
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)Self-Cleaning Plastic - Level 4
A new plastic could stop bacteria and superbugs spreading diseases. Scientists developed a new, plastic wonder-wrap. They say it will greatly cut bacteria spreading in hospitals, kitchens, bathrooms and other places with bugs. Researchers in Canada created the plastic. They say it repels all forms of bacteria and superbugs. The material is like the plastic wrap we use to cover food. It can protect places that attract bacteria, like worktops, door handles, and hospitals.
The researchers got their idea from the lotus plant. They copied how lotus leaves repelled water. Water either sits on the leaves or bounces off. A researcher hoped plastic could do the same. She said: "This material gives us something that can be applied to all kinds of things." Another researcher said his technology could be used in all kinds of settings. It will offer anti-microbial resistance in any future health crisis.
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Self-Cleaning Plastic - Level 5
A revolutionary plastic could prevent bacteria and superbugs causing diseases. Scientists have developed a new, transparent, plastic wonder-wrap. They say it will greatly cut microbe transfer in hospitals, restaurants, kitchens, bathrooms and other places where bugs gather. Researchers from a university in Canada developed the plastic. They say it can repel all forms of bacteria, including superbugs. The material is like the common plastic wrap used to cover food. It can be shrink-wrapped to protect places that attract bacteria, like worktops, door handles, and hospital equipment.
The researchers said their idea came from the lotus plant. They tried to copy how lotus leaves repelled water. Drops of water either sit on the surface of the leaves or bounce off. A researcher wanted to apply that process to the plastic. She said: "We're structurally tuning that plastic. This material gives us something that can be applied to all kinds of things." Another researcher said: "We can see this technology being used in all kinds of...settings. As the world confronts the crisis of anti-microbial resistance, we hope it will become an important part of the anti-bacterial toolbox."
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11 online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
Self-Cleaning Plastic - Level 6
A revolutionary new plastic could help to prevent bacteria and superbugs causing disease and illness. Scientists have developed a new kind of transparent, plastic wonder-wrap. They say it will drastically cut incidences of microbe transfer in hospitals, restaurants, kitchens, bathrooms and other places where bugs lie in wait. The plastic was created by researchers from McMaster University in Canada. They say their material can repel all forms of bacteria, including superbugs like MRSA. The material is like a conventional transparent wrap used to cover food. It can be shrink-wrapped to protect places that attract bacteria, like worktops, door handles, taps, hospital equipment and food containers.
The researchers said the inspiration for their new material came from the lotus plant. They attempted to replicate the method in which the leaves of this plant repelled water. Drops of water either sit on the surface of the leaves or bounce off. Researcher Leyla Soleymani wanted to apply that process to the new plastic. She said: "We're structurally tuning that plastic. This material gives us something that can be applied to all kinds of things." Another researcher, Tohid Didar, said: "We can see this technology being used in all kinds of institutional and domestic settings. As the world confronts the crisis of anti-microbial resistance, we hope it will become an important part of the anti-bacterial toolbox."
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25 online activities | 27-page printable | 2-page mini-lesson
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