Trending Now - Innovative Textured Plastic Destroys Viruses on Contact
WHO:
The Conversation - Researchers from RMIT University involved in the study.
WHAT:
The Conversation - The new plastic film is a thin acrylic film covered in thousands of ultra-fine pillars that can stretch and rupture viruses on contact.
The Conversation - Lab tests found that up to 94% of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) particles were fatally damaged within an hour of contact with the new material.
The Conversation - The distance between the nanopillars, specifically about 60 nanometres apart, was found to be crucial for the material's effectiveness.
The Conversation - Developed a thin plastic film that can physically rupture viruses on contact.
Phys.org - The plastic film is effective at killing viruses and is more practical and scalable than previous metal and silicon-based antiviral surfaces.
The Conversation - Lab tests showed that up to 94% of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) particles were damaged within an hour of contact with the new material.
WHERE:
The Conversation - The material can be applied to high-touch surfaces such as smartphones and hospital equipment.
WHEN:
The Conversation - The study was published in the journal Advanced Science in 2026.
The Conversation - The research journey began over a decade ago.
WHY:
The Conversation - The aim was to create a surface that reduces the spread of viruses and germs, addressing the limitations of traditional disinfectants which can wear off and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
HOW:
The Conversation - The nanopillars on the surface grab and stretch a virus’s outer shell until it ruptures, killing the virus through mechanical force.
The Conversation - The new material features thousands of tiny nanoscale pillars that stretch and rupture the outer shell of viruses.
The Conversation - The distance between the nanopillars, specifically about 60 nanometres apart, was found to be crucial for effectiveness.
The Conversation - The material is lightweight, cost-effective, and flexible, making it suitable for various applications including food packaging and public transport systems.
(UPDATED April 21, 2026 19:23 UTC)
A groundbreaking new plastic film has been developed, featuring a thin acrylic layer embedded with thousands of ultra-fine pillars that can stretch and rupture viruses on contact. Lab tests revealed that this innovative material can damage up to 94% of human parainfluenza virus type 3 particles within just one hour, with the distance between the nanopillars, approximately 60 nanometers apart, being key to its effectiveness. The nanopillars work by grabbing and stretching a virus's outer shell until it ruptures, effectively neutralizing the virus through mechanical force.
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(UPDATED April 21, 2026 09:21 UTC)
Researchers from RMIT University have developed a groundbreaking thin plastic film that can physically rupture viruses on contact, showing promise in reducing the spread of germs on high-touch surfaces like smartphones and hospital equipment. Lab tests revealed that this innovative material damaged up to 94% of human parainfluenza virus type 3 particles within an hour, making it more practical and scalable than previous antiviral surfaces made from metal or silicon. Published in the journal Advanced Science in 2026, this lightweight and flexible material features nanoscale pillars designed to effectively target viruses, addressing the limitations of traditional disinfectants that can wear off and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.