Scientists have built a very thin plastic sheet that can smash viruses the instant they land on it. This new material could make everyday items like phones, keyboards, and hospital tools safer.
The sheet is made of acrylic and covered with millions of tiny pillars—each one far smaller than a hair. When a virus touches the surface, the pillars grip it and stretch its outer skin until it breaks.
Unlike older designs that used metals or hard silicon, this film is soft, flexible, and easy to roll out in factories.
How the Tiny Pillars Work
The pillars act like a mechanical trap. They do not rely on chemicals; instead they use physical force to pull the virus apart.
Lab Results Show Fast Virus Removal
In tests with human parainfluenza virus 3—a germ that can cause lung infections—about 94 % of the virus was destroyed after one hour of contact with the film.
"When the pillars are placed close together, they can press on the virus at many points at once, stretching it beyond its breaking point," explained a lead researcher.
Spacing Is the Key
The team found that the distance between pillars matters more than how tall they are. Pillars spaced roughly 60 nanometers apart gave the strongest virus‑killing effect. Wider gaps (100 nm or more) reduced the performance dramatically.
Future Plans
So far the work has focused on one type of enveloped virus. The scientists now want to try smaller, non‑enveloped viruses to see if the film works as well.
They also plan to test the film on curved surfaces, because bending could change the pillar spacing.
With roll‑to‑roll manufacturing ready, the material could soon be produced at large scale and applied to everyday surfaces without using harsh chemicals.