Sharkskin Inspired Material Repels Bacteria

Sharks are scary. So scary that the texture of their skin alone prevents parasitic bacteria from sticking. Good, because by modelling a plastic sheet-like surface after that scary skin, we can actually prevent drug-resistant superbacteria like MRSA from building up.

A Florida-based company by the name of Sharklet (yes, I laughed at the name too) came up with this plastic film which “is covered with microscopic diamond-shaped bumps” that prevent all sorts of nasties from building up. It’s headed off for FDA testing to be approved for hospital use, but so far it’s proven to work pretty well in tests and we’ll be seeing it on bathroom door knobs and similar surfaces. Just don’t use that as an excuse to skip washing your hands, please. [Pop Sci]