UPHOLSTERY CHOICE


gaining momentum, given the recent scientific research that suggests that the spread of the COVID-19 virus could well be airborne. Disinfectants are dispersed in a fine mist onto all surfaces, including those that are hard to reach, reducing airborne microorganisms.


Insistence on solid, non-porous materials


Whether these new cleaning methods become widely adopted, or existing ones are adhered to, the use of woven textiles in clinical environments is simply no longer an option. The trend for solid, non- porous materials with high chemical and hydrolysis resistance had already begun prior to the pandemic. Now interior designers will insist on these materials, particularly if they have the same appearance and haptics as textiles.


Learning from nature


Biomimicry, the practice of learning from and mimicking strategies found in nature, has offered some simple solutions to the complex problem of post-pandemic cleaning protocols. One example of biomimicry was inspired by the lotus leaf, which naturally repels water using micro- scale bumps, nano-scale hair structures, and a waxy surface. These three elements combine to create enough surface tension to support or repel droplets of liquid and protect from wear and tear. This can be replicated in fabrics using nanoscale


coatings containing glass beads typically coated with paraffin wax that form a surface of ‘mountain tops’, invisible to the human eye. As the adhesive forces between water and air are much weaker than between water and a solid material, the presence of trapped air reduces the surface contact between liquid and solid, creating enough mechanical surface tension to repel droplets. These nanoscale glass beads can be printed or coated onto even the most luxurious materials, increasing performance without added surface chemistry.


Antimicrobial materials


Since the discovery of bacteria, scientists have used antibiotics and disinfectants to kill or control them. However, overuse of these solutions has led to the creation of ‘superbugs’ such as MRSA, which can commonly be found in hospitals. A new strategy proposed by some scientists is to manage bacterial growth through the use of antimicrobial materials which offer an extra layer of protection. These materials help to prevent germs from multiplying, but still need to be cleaned regularly. Biomimicry has also been applied to the development of some antimicrobial materials – one example is the ‘shark skin effect’.


In 2002, the US Office of Naval Research solicited Dr Anthony Brennan, a materials science and engineering professor at the University of Florida, to


A mathematical model for roughness


Dr Brennan transformed this distinct pattern into a mathematical model for roughness. This was then further developed to become Sharklet – a patented, 3D printed, microscopic matrix of patterns which creates a silicon-based coating upon which bacteria do not like to grow. The pattern is transferred onto adhesive-backed skins that can be applied to upholstery fabrics in high- touch areas to reduce the transfer of bacteria between people. Natural metal compounds have been used as antimicrobial agents for thousands of years. Combination coatings containing silver and titanium can destroy germs like Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae without any cytotoxicity.


find new ways to reduce the use of toxic antifouling paints that discourage algae and barnacles and minimise the costs of maintaining ships in dry dock. Inspiration struck when he realised that an algae- coated nuclear submarine returning to port resembled a whale. His research revealed that the only slow-moving marine animal that didn’t suffer from green algae settlement was the shark. Scanning shark skin with an electron microscope revealed that it contains dermal denticles, arranged in a distinct diamond pattern, with tiny riblets that discourage microorganisms from settling.


The Compass Lux chair, Takara Belmont, upholstered in Ultraleather Pro, in the ‘Capri’ colour.


74 Health Estate Journal October 2020


The Cleo II chair, Takara Belmont, upholstered in Ultraleather Original, colour Toro.


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