Evaluating decontamination and prevention techniques by establishing standardized broad-range microbial testing platforms

Abstract

To find efficient decontamination techniques and preventive measures that create solutions for the future of human travel via public transportation, we established standardized experimental testing platforms that enable us to test the effectiveness of countermeasures against microbial contaminations. Additionally, we characterise the antimicrobial effects of, for example, active copper and copper alloy surfaces, which were topographically modified via Ultrashort Pulsed Direct Laser Interference Patterning (USP-DLIP). The experimental set-up includes a standardized bacterial bioaerosol including abundant microbes found in indoor air as well as an array of multi-drug-resistant bacteria (enterococci) and microbiological sterilization indicators like fungal spores (following the DIN EN 16868 standards). In our research, we e.g., aerosolize authentic bacterial bioaerosols (active or inactive form) and treat them with a given decontamination technique. In laboratory settings, as well as train and airplane cabin mock-ups, and real-life scenarios, we combine flow dynamic, material, and microbiome research.