Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
10:43
High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
Published on: November 5, 2016
9.4K
Polymeric Coatings with Antimicrobial Activity: A Short Review
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, CEMMPRE, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal.
Polymers
|October 29, 2020
Summary
The urgent need for antimicrobial and antiviral solutions drives research into novel materials. This review explores polymeric coatings designed to inhibit microbial activity through surface chemistry and topography.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Increasing antibiotic resistance and viral pandemics necessitate advanced antimicrobial and antiviral solutions.
- Polymeric materials offer versatile platforms for developing functional coatings.
- Current research focuses on inhibiting microbial activity on surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for creating antimicrobial and antiviral polymeric coatings.
- To explore surface topography and chemistry as methods for biocidal activity.
- To provide future perspectives on antimicrobial and antiviral material development.
Main Methods:
- Literature survey of existing research on polymeric coatings.
- Categorization of approaches based on topographic cues and surface chemistry.
- Analysis of reported antimicrobial and biocidal properties of polymer surfaces.
Main Results:
- Polymeric coatings can be engineered for antimicrobial and antiviral functions.
- Surface topography and chemistry are key factors in achieving biocidal effects.
- Both inhibitory and biocidal polymer surfaces are being developed.
Conclusions:
- Polymeric coatings are crucial for combating microbial resistance and viral spread.
- Further research into surface engineering of polymers is essential.
- Developing advanced antimicrobial and antiviral surfaces holds significant promise.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
806
The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
806
01:27Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
618
Chemicals play important roles in controlling microbial growth by targeting microbial structures and functions as sanitizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilants.Alcohols are commonly used sanitizers, effectively disrupting lipid membranes, which compromises cell integrity. They are also used as antiseptics and disinfectants due to their rapid action and versatility.Phenols and their derivatives phenolics , known for denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, are particularly...
618
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
2.2K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
2.2K
01:29Biofilms
810
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
810
01:23Antimicrobial Proteins
12.5K
Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
12.5K
01:22Waterproofing and Anti-Bacterial Admixtures in Concrete
163
Concrete's susceptibility to water absorption is due to the capillary action within the pores of its hydrated cement paste. This action draws water in, creating the need for waterproofing admixtures to prevent such penetration. The efficacy of these admixtures is contingent upon the water pressure, with variations arising from different conditions such as rain, capillary rise, or hydrostatic pressure in structures intended to hold water.
Waterproofing admixtures render concrete hydrophobic,...
Waterproofing admixtures render concrete hydrophobic,...
163