A team of researchers from the University of New Mexico, Duke University, and the University of Florida say that they have uncovered a new technique to trap, kill, and release bacteria from a surface, such as bacterial growth on a urinary catheter. They explained that they used cationic polymers and oligomers containing phenylene ethynylene backbones with pendant quaternary ammonium groups for the antimicrobial activity to detach the bacteria from the surface for disposal.

In order to construct the proper surface, the team used interference lithography, a technique in which lasers are used to carve tiny channels in a surface. This technique was initially developed for use on computer chips. They say that the surface of a catheter could be constructed in such a way to release bacteria after a PH shift, such as when a person urinates.

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