13. A Biodegradable Wipe
Margaret Frey
Margaret W. Frey, Fiber Science and Apparel Design, and research colleagues developed a biodegradable absorbent wipe that, if produced on a large scale, would be inexpensive and easily used to detect bacteria, viruses, and other substances found in places such as hospitals and airplanes. It could be activated to detect any substance and used with little training—as easily as wiping a surface. Nanofibers in the wipe could even contain antibodies to many biohazards and chemicals, signaling by changing color or another method when the antibodies attach to their targets. The researchers developed nanofibers with platforms made of biotin (part of the B-vitamin complex) and the protein streptavidin, which holds the antibodies. Composed of a polymer compound made from corn, the nanofibers could be incorporated into a conventional paper product to keep costs low. Nanofibers with diameters near 100 nanometers provide extremely large areas for sensing and increased absorbency. Acting like a sponge, the napkin would be able to detect the biohazard of the week, whether bird flu or E. coli.