The following project has been awarded consumables funding by the AMR network:

'Evaluating the antimicrobial effect of commercially available photocatalytic antimicrobial coatings on healthcare surfaces'

The purpose of the project is to test the antimicrobial effect of a commercially available TiO2 coating from our industrial partner Maeda-Kygoyou, Japan (MK),using Clostridium difficile spores (a hospital pathogenic microorganism), when applied to test surfaces (ceramic and vinyl tiles).  The test surfaces will be exposed to light at a controlled intensity of 1-4 mW/cm2, using (i) UV-A lamp (~370nm), (ii) a 405nm LED lamp and (iii) wide spectrum wavelength visible light lamp. Irradiance will be monitored with a specific wavelength photometer. The intensity can be increased by reducing the distance between sample and the light emitting source. The humidity and temperature will be controlled. The time of exposure will be investigated. Moreover, the efficiency of the catalyst will be tested under clean and dirty conditions.

Project Lead: Gianluca Li Puma