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IllumiBowl's latest toilet light also kills germs
IllumiBowl's motion-activated, multi-color toilet night light may have seemed like a silly idea when it first launched, but don't laugh -- it's a practical solution if you'd rather not flick on the regular bathroom light (and momentarily blind yourself) just to do your business. And it appears that enough people bought into the concept to warrant a sequel. The company is crowdfunding a second-generation IllumiBowl light that adds anti-germ cleaning to the mix. The new gadget includes a diode whose "highly focused" non-ultraviolet light kills bacteria without hurting humans. This doesn't mean that your toilet will suddenly be sterile, but it may set your mind at ease in between bowl scrubbing sessions.
Algae-based thread will keep your clothes odor-free
If you're worried that the silver ions in antibacterial and anti-odor clothing might also pose serious health risks, like destroying genetic material, you'll be glad to hear that there should soon be a safer alternative. The KTH Royal Institute of Technology has developed an antibacterial thread that uses a mix of bio-compatible plastics and lanosol, a bacteria-fighting compound that you normally find in red algae. The material should not only be a less contentious germ-killer than silver, but more effective. Because it's woven into super-thin fibers through electrospinning (which uses electrical charges to draw thread from liquid), the antiseptic element doesn't clump up and leave some areas unprotected.
Corning's new Gorilla Glass will actively kill germs on your smartphone
Every properly raised gorilla knows it's not enough to be tough; you also have to be hygienic. Which is surely why Corning has developed an antimicrobial form of its Gorilla Glass that inhibits the growth of algae, mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria and other nasties that might want to take root on a heavily used touchscreen. The glass contains an ionic silver coating that's similar to what's found on other germ-killing surfaces. Except that here it's meant to be "intrinsic" to the material and is therefore claimed to function for the lifetime of a device, whether it's a phone, tablet, PC or even a piece of medical equipment -- although Corning stops short of making any health-related promises. The company also avoids saying whether any antimicrobial gadgets will appear in the near future, because a good gorilla always under-promises and over-delivers.
University of Birmingham researchers develop antibacterial stainless steel, mysophobes clap from within their bubbles
Answering the call of germphobes and their Stepford ladies-in-waiting everywhere, researchers at the University of Birmingham have devised a silver-infused technique of warding off unwanted bacteria. Eschewing the previously attempted, but short-lived coating method, these scientists have "developed a novel surface alloying technology" that infuses silver, nitrogen and carbon into a newly germ-resistant stainless steel surface. The team hopes this super durable steel will soon find its anti-bacterial way into hospitals and the surgical implements they employ -- not to mention your college cafeteria. Modern Lady Macbeth homemaker types can breathe a sigh of "Out, damn'd superbug spot" relief and get back to sealing up the furniture.
LCDs can be transformed from e-waste to infection fighters, says new research
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a possible use for discarded LCDs which should come as a relief to anyone familiar with the world's rampant e-waste problem. According to the report, which will be presented today at the Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference in Washington, D.C., a process of heating, then cooling and dehydrating the PVA (polyvinyl-alcohol, the key component of LCDs) with ethanol produces a surface area of mesoporous material with great potential for use in biomedicine. The resultant product's anti-microbial properties can now be enhanced by adding silver nanoparticles, producing something which is anti-bacterial and can kill things like E.coli. The potential application of course, is that hospital surfaces could be made of it in the future. This is just one (major) step in a long-term project, so don't expect to see it in real life anytime soon.
Samsung ups the ante with the X460 laptop; X360 feels neglected
Is Samsung's Air competitor, the X360, a little too delicate for your tastes? Perhaps you'd be in for its slightly heavier cousin, the newly announced X460. It weighs in at 4.1 pounds and offers a larger 14.1-inch (though still 1280 x 800) screen, yet still manages to come in at just 1.2-inches thick. An Intel Centrino 2 handles the number crunching paired with up to 4GB of RAM, while up to a 320GB HDD (alas, no SSD) and a Super Multi Drive DVD burner with LightScribe handle storage. An nVIDIA GeForce Go 9200M GS chipset will cover (lightweight) gaming duties, while connectivity is offered via 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, gigabit ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a 7-in-1 card reader, and HDMI output to boot. A 6-cell battery will keep it juiced for up to 5 hours (7.5 if you opt for the 9-cell), and the ever-trendy anti-bacterial keyboard will keep you healthy. No price or availability yet, but just look at that lovely shade of rose.Update: TrustedReviews already has a quick preview of the X460, looking a little less hot in black. [Thanks Howard]
Silver Seal antibacterial, washable mouse and keyboard
As far as "world's firsts" go this is a pretty minor one, yet we'd be neglect in our duties were we not to present you with the Silver Seal Antibacterial, Washable Keyboard and Mouse, which manufacturer Seal Shield claims to be the only set combining both of these hygienic features. Designed for use in hospitals and other germ-laden environments, the Silver Seal desktop features those same silver ion nanoparticles that have become all the rage among hypochondriacs these days, and is totally submersible (dishwashers, too!) to expedite regular cleanings. Hospital IT procurement specialists should start looking for the set next month, and although no MSRP is available yet, we'll wager that you're looking at diNovo-level pricing.
Keyboard combo for the compulsively clean, obsessively sterile
Logitech has released the perfect companion piece for that plastic bubble you just scored on eBay. It's a keyboard and mouse combo, dubbed the MX 3200 Laser, and it's coated with AgION, a compound used most commonly in hospitals to prohibit the growth of microorganisms.Our guess it that the 3200 will cater primarily to mysophobes, but it might also be a worthwhile purchase for those paranoid of their runny-nosed tots or greasy-haired coworkers -- oh wait, that is a mysophobe. Anyways, Logitech's latest sure beats spraying Lysol all over the desktop.
