Developments in Antibacterial Disinfection Techniques

Abstract

One of the most daunting challenges facing nations today is controlling the spread of increasingly lethal bacteria. Today, a handful of bacteria can no longer be treated with traditional antibiotics and show antibacterial resistance. In this regard, nanotechnology possesses tremendous potential for the development of novel tools which help prevent and combat the spread of unwanted microorganisms. These tools can provide unique solutions for the challenges of the traditional disinfection methods, such as increased antibacterial activity, cost reduction, biocompatibility and personalized treatment. Despite its great potential, nanotechnology remains in its infancy and continued research efforts are required to achieve its full potential. In this chapter, traditional methods and their associated limitations are reviewed for their efficacy against microbial spread, and potential solutions in nanotechnology are described. A review of the state of the art disinfection techniques using nanotechnology is presented, and promising new areas in the field are discussed.