A wrinkled surface that squeezes itself clean could end implant infections

Infections that grow on medical implants — joint replacements, pacemakers, catheters — form slimy bacterial sheets called biofilms that antibiotics struggle to clear. Engineers at the University of Michigan have built a surface, named DARTS, covered in nano-wrinkles sharp enough to puncture bacteria on contact, with a tiny soft actuator underneath that periodically squeezes the surface to pop established biofilms off. In mice, the actuated devices carried markedly less bacteria and healthier surrounding tissue after seven days, and a near-infrared light can trigger the squeeze wirelessly. 'Rather than relying on passive coatings, our surface physically removes bacteria when needed,' said researcher Jouha Min. The study appeared in Advanced Functional Materials.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: tech innovation