Project

Infections acquired by patients while they are receiving health care for other conditions are a cause of illness and death around the globe. Such healthcare-associated infections (HAI) can occur in any healthcare facility, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centres, end-stage renal disease facilities, and long-term care facilities. In this context, surface mediated spreading of pathogens is of ongoing concern. Decontamination of bacteria and viruses can be done by simple means using solutions of ethanol, hypochlorite, peroxide, or bleach; or even soap and household cleaning products. However, such methods are difficult to apply, time consuming, and most importantly short-lasting. Antipathogenic surfaces have one or more of the following features: They prevent microorganisms from attaching to the surface, inhibit biofilm formation, kill pathogens by release of antibacterial agents and can provide an alternative to disinfection.

The overall aim of the project is to combine the innovation of making transparent and dual functional photocatalytic TMOs and super-acid thin films, with the technical challenge of bringing the technology onto a flexible polymer web (PET film). The surface functionalized TMO/PET film will be iteratively tested for its anti-pathogenic properties at a university hospital both for virus and multi resistant bacteria activity with the ambition to establish coating process conditions compatible with clinical requirements, taking care of socio-technical and socio-environmental effects.

In this project, Fraunhofer ISI will assess the socio-technical effects in the development and usage of the innovation in healthcare settings:

• User needs will be determined through interviews and site visits. Additionally, healthcare processes will be examined to determine necessary adjustments for the successful introduction into healthcare settings.
• Throughout the project, we will monitor positive as well as negative social and ethical implications using an ethics canvas and stakeholder interviews. If necessary, mitigation measures for any negative effects will be developed.
• We will assess the competitive landscape and define market demand of the innovation to capture needs and demand from potential customers.
• The results of all analysis will be fed back into the technical development process.
• Finally, a concept for the exploitation of the results will be developed with the project partners including application areas, target customers, their needs, competitors, trends and next steps.

• Tanja Bratan (Project leader)
• Claudia Schlüfter
• Sabine Langkau
• Ann Wahu Kamina

6/2022-5/2025

• Vinnova (Sweden) and 
• Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism (Germany)

• Uppsala University (Coordinator)
• Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP
• Chromogenics AB
• Nanoform AB