Australian scientists from the Queensland Institute of technology conducted a series of experiments on the effects on aluminum alloy 6063 aggressive with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), better known as lye. Their goal was processing in three hours.
As a result of its smooth surface has changed at a microscopic level, it formed a number of ridges. The surface became hydrophilic, i.e. water attracting.
In contact with some viruses and bacteria on a surface (for example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) in their outer membrane slack between the microscopic ridges and torn, and the microorganisms were killed.
Most bacteria are killed within three hours after contact. At the same time, two hours later, the number of respiratory viruses on the surface of the metal has dropped significantly. These figures were much better than in a similar situation on plastic and smooth aluminum surfaces. Moreover, the passage of time processed with alkali the aluminum plates retained their bactericidal properties.
Scientists believe that this technology will be useful in the processing of frequently used surfaces in public places – e.g. on cruise ships and in airports.
Source — American Chemical Society