While most people are worrying about that fly on the wall eavesdropping on their conversations, some researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are more concerned about the germs that share the same surface.
Alexander Klibanov, professor of chemistry and bioengineering at MIT, has been developing an anti-microbial paint that can prevent the transmission of the flu and other viruses, as well as destroy pathogenic bacteria.
When in contact with a virus, a polymer in Klibanov's paint attacks viruses by poking holes in its protective outer membrane, rendering the virus noninfective and thus, unable to multiply.
The idea is to use the anti-microbial paint not just on walls, but in ventilation ducts, on doorknobs and on medical tools used in hospitals.
Fishman agrees with the potential the paint holds as an effective anti-viral product.
"I think this product would be most useful in a hospital," said Fishman. "We know that when people in the hospital are infected by a resistant bacteria, that bacteria spreads everywhere in the room, including the walls."
An extra bonus: Because of the paint's ability to kill bacteria and viruses, no additional disinfectants would be necessary when cleaning walls.
The paint, however, is still in development, and further testing will determine the safety of such a product.
Do you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.
