Germ Free Wireless Laser Mouse will kill micro-organisms

If you're the type of person who keeps a bottle of hand sanitizer within reach at all times, then this is surely the perfect product for you. IOGEAR has just released the Germ Free Wireless Laser Mouse, a cordless USB device coated with a "titanium dioxide and silver nano-particle compound" to take down nearly all bacteria, viruses, fungi or even algae (huh?) from surviving on your mouse. If killing microscopic bugs wasn't enough, this mouse uses a "Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser" (um, ok) that purports to provide "30x more tracking power" (however that's measured), which can be used on glass -- like many other laser mice -- for all you folks who enjoy a transparent workspace. Oh, and in case you thought you'd simply lick the mouse every so often to stave off corporal infection, IOGEAR's disclaimer says otherwise: "Do not ingest the surface material of the device under any circumstances." No matter why that sounds familiar, we think we're capable of following at least that manufacturer instruction.

[Via The Raw Feed]

[Jake Fischground @ Sep 27th 2006 12:20AM]

lol.

[Sudixp @ Sep 27th 2006 12:31AM]

how does that work? does the nano-particle compound destroy the parasite's cell wall?.. how would that effect our skin over a period of time?

[Phour ZwanZig @ Sep 27th 2006 12:46AM]

"Do not ingest the surface material of the device under any circumstances."

Does that mean you have to wash your hands really really good after using it..

Dang.. No more Munchies at the computer..

[pbase @ Sep 27th 2006 12:52AM]

Sudixp, silver has long been believed to have anti-bacterial properties.

[Daumier @ Sep 27th 2006 1:57AM]

"titanium dioxide and silver nano-particle compound"

That's the same stuff out of which my contact lens case is made. The manufacturer claims it reduces the chance of contamination, but they still recommend replacing the case everytime I refill the solution. Good thing they provide a free case with the solution (it's called Aquify).

[obm @ Sep 27th 2006 3:08AM]

Ok, I am working in the field of nanotechnology, and although I am a theoric physicsits, I know the danger of nanostuff, as anyone reading papers should do. I think the nanoparticles will be the asbestos of the new century, only much worse! Does anyone remember how asbestos was advertised as the solution to all problems and the miracle worker? We now know that due to fibrous nature of that material it will multiply the chance of cancer 260 times, especially lung related ones. Nanomaterials are much worse. Cell membrane can not stop most of them, and they directly affect intracellular mechanisms, for example carbon nanotubes are known to effect protein copy mechanisms. In this particular case, silver and TiO nanoparticles are known to reduce/prevent growth of bacteria related colonies. It is predicted that this is due to preventing adhesion, however it may very well be something much worse. For example TiO is used in paints for a long time now, and workers in that industruy are very prone to various forms of cancer, especially pancreatic. As long as you do not inhale it, most probably there should be no problem, and the "no licking" rule should be strictly obeyed. Also in my opinion, do wash your hands after use. What is worst is that they are using this combination even in refrigerators.

[Anthony @ Sep 27th 2006 3:19AM]

So what happens when a baby or toddler puts this mouse in its mouth?

[William @ Sep 27th 2006 9:45AM]

or you could just not buy this 'cancer' mouse..

[tiuk @ Sep 27th 2006 9:52AM]

Yeah, I think I'll just stick to washing my hands instead of risking cancer.

[Andy Lin @ Sep 27th 2006 10:12AM]

Vertical cavity surface emitting laser is a real thing. The initialism is VCSEL. It basically means a laser embedded in the surface, which is presumably a Si or GaAs substrate.

[john @ Sep 27th 2006 2:50PM]

Would this stuff hurt a shark if I mounted one of these frickin' things on its head?