antimicrobial
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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.
Intel's Clamshell Classmate PC now more rugged and longer-lasting
Don't expect any new swivels (ahem, Dell), but Intel's education-focused Classmate PC nonetheless learned a few new tricks at this year's IDF 2010. First up is battery life, a six-cell lithium-ion energy source "so students may be able to work all day long on a single charge" also helped by the latest 45nm Intel Atom processor (we're pretty sure that means Pine Trail and not that other newcomer). There's additionally more ruggedness in the form factor, allowing for added protection on 70cm "desk heights" drops, increased water resistance of at least 100cc of liquid, and an antimicrobial coating for a cleaner environment.
Domtar launches antimicrobial office paper, Scranton moans
Narrowly edging out Dunder Mifflin as the "world's first" paper company to deliver antimicrobial office paper to North America, Domtar is ready to crank up the winders in order to deliver its specialized paper to healthcare agencies, educational facilities, and dysfunctional offices everywhere. The paper, which can purportedly be written and printed on without any special accommodations, is coated in a silver compound that protects it from "he growth of bacteria, odors, fungus, mold and mildew." Furthermore, laboratory studies reportedly show a 99-percent reduction of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and K. pneumoniae compared to unshielded sheets, adding to its shelf life and keeping those secretaries free from lingering germs. While we're not exactly certain when reams of this germ-free paper will hit your local Office Depot, we're well on our way to a perfectly sterile office environment -- well, aside from that chewed up pen cap you handle each day.[Via Wired]
