Many healthcare environments are built with minimal input from infection prevention specialists, and as a result, design decisions inadvertently create conditions that enable microbial persistence, proliferation, and transmission. With the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) accelerating globally, rethinking how we design and build healthcare spaces is no longer optional, it is essential.

In extreme environments where access to water and regular laundering is impossible, textiles become more than simply clothing or bedding. They are integral to maintaining hygiene, comfort, and even survival. In spacecraft, submarines, polar research stations, military operations, disaster relief zones, and remote exploration sites, prolonged missions in confined and resource-limited settings create the ideal conditions for microbial growth.

Antimicrobial materials are emerging as a critical class of engineered substances designed to reduce the spread of harmful microorganisms on surfaces and within products. These materials—capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses—have transitioned from niche applications to mainstream integration.

In the modern age of global travel, dense urban living, and evolving pathogens, the surfaces we touch every day can significantly impact public health. While hygiene practices and cleaning protocols remain essential, materials themselves are playing an increasingly proactive role in preventing the spread of infectious agents like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria, and Salmonella.

As health, hygiene, and material innovation continue to converge, the question of whether materials themselves can play a role in preventing disease transmission is more relevant than ever. Beyond traditional cleaning and disinfection, advances in surface engineering, polymers, and antimicrobial additives are enabling materials to actively resist or neutralise microbial threats.

While antimicrobial materials have traditionally been associated with healthcare and consumer goods, their application in aerospace and defence is gaining momentum. Industry leaders are beginning to see the value of embedded antimicrobial technologies — additives or treatments integrated directly into polymers, coatings, and textiles — as a passive, self-sustaining defence mechanism.

Bioinspired materials are engineered surfaces and structures that mimic the natural functions found in plants, animals, and insects — often to achieve effects like self-cleaning, bacteria resistance, or reduced contamination.

In a major advancement for surface hygiene and infection control, scientists at the University of Nottingham, working alongside industrial partner Indestructible Paint Ltd, have developed a durable antimicrobial paint that actively kills a wide spectrum of dangerous pathogens.

The fitness industry has never been more focused on performance, hygiene, and durability. From boutique studios to commercial gym chains, operators and consumers alike are demanding more from their equipment. Behind the scenes, a quiet revolution is taking place — driven by the use of advanced functional additives in materials used for gym equipment.

In a world more conscious of hygiene, health, and sustainability than ever before, antimicrobial textiles have entered a new era. No longer confined to niche applications, these functional materials are now expected across multiple industries — from healthcare to sportswear, hospitality to public transport.

An intriguing advance in biomaterials has emerged from RMIT University: a protein coating inspired by resilin—best known for its role in enabling fleas to leap extraordinary distances—is now being applied as a fully effective antibacterial barrier for medical surfaces.

As global attention turns toward environmental responsibility, manufacturers and consumers alike are searching for innovations that do more with less. While antimicrobial technologies are often associated with hygiene, odor control, and healthcare applications, their contribution to sustainability is increasingly being recognized.

Antimicrobial technologies are reshaping the way we think about cleanliness and product performance. From the smartphones in our pockets to surfaces in hospitals and materials used in public transport, these innovations are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life.

In a world where hygiene, health, and durability are top priorities, antimicrobial technology has emerged as a powerful ally. From hospitals to homes, and smartphones to sneakers, products enhanced with antimicrobial properties are redefining standards for safety, cleanliness, and performance.