A powder developed by Dr. Emily Hunt, a professor at West Texas A&M University, has been patented, as its components are now being used to fight bacterial growth.
According to WTAMU, Hunt's powder (Patent No. 9,512,324 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) is being used to fight bacteria in settings such as homes and commercial spaces. The powder is a mixture of metals and metal oxides, and is used as an additive that creates a protective material that stops strains of bacteria, when mixed with chemicals such as paints, epoxies, coatings and sprays. The powder can reportedly stop bacteria, such as E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus and is effective in stopping over 99 percent of harmful bacteria.
Hunt's technology is being commercialized by Buffalo Technology Group and is expected to be available on Amazon and in local markets by the end of the year as Paint-Guard, a paint additive. Hunt's team is also working on developing Grout-Guard and Pool-Guard.
The research for the product was funded through a grant Hunt received in 2010, through the Department of Defense and the U.S. Strategic Command.
For more information, visit wtamu.edu.
