Feature: Displays
A survey conducted by Trend Monitor in 2019 found that 77% of people are aware that 80% of bacterial infections come from what we touch, 70% are concerned about using public/shared screens, and over 80% would actively seek out a touchscreen with protective antimicrobial coating. We are facing an era where superbugs
could be bigger killers than cancer by 2050. Tis begs the question of how to make touchscreens safer.
Safe treatments Tere are various sanitising solutions used today to treat touchscreens:
• UV sterilisation (UVGI) Tis form of energy is invisible to the human eye. Short wavelength ultra-violet light kills or inactivates micro-organisms by destroying their genetic building blocks (nucleic acids) and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. It normally takes the form of a UV wand that is passed over the screen to kill viruses and bacteria. Te disadvantages of UV-C light is that
it breaks apart oxygen particles, which then combine to form ozone.
• Nano-silver particulate Silver is known to have strong anti- bacterial properties. Silver ions perforate the cell wall/membrane of the bacteria and undergo a chemical reaction with sulfydryl which breaks down their protein (protease), leaving them unable to metabolise or reproduce; see Figure 4. Although gaining in popularity, there
is a great deal of concern about the effect ion particles have on the atmosphere and the environment. And, if we aren’t careful, the technique’s overuse could mean that bacteria build up resistance and become super bugs. In addition, silver ions tend to cluster together in small islands during production, rather than extend into an even coating, making them difficult to work with.
• Titanium dioxide Titanium dioxide has been used as a sanitiser solution for many years; it is a naturally-occurring compound created
Figure 2: Micro glass is chemically strengthened, with implanted antimicrobial protection
Figure 3: Considerations for touchscreen implementation
www.electronicsworld.co.uk March 2021 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
