Scientists from Tomsk State University (TSU) are testing their own antimicrobial materials for effectiveness in hospitals in Indonesia. The development is also being checked for corrosion resistance in seawater, TASS was informed by the university’s press service.
The Tomsk researchers have developed antimicrobial materials containing nanoparticles. These are used to make dressings for wounds, burns, and diabetic ulcers, as well as medical masks and protective clothing for healthcare workers, aiming to curb the spread of hospital-acquired infections. The materials are patented and have passed tests in bacteriological laboratories, which confirmed that they eliminate up to 99% of viruses and bacteria.
"A TSU delegation visited Indonesia and launched an experiment in partnership with Raden Intan State Islamic University. This experiment will allow us to test the effectiveness of TSU's materials in tropical climate conditions," the university stated.
Experiments in Indonesia
According to TSU Vice-Rector for International Relations, Artem Rykun, the university team left wound dressings for testing in two hospitals—one municipal and one at Raden Intan University. They are being tested according to a standard protocol. TSU staff also treated the interior and exterior walls of the hospitals with paint containing nanoparticles. This addresses the problem of black mold spread in Southeast Asia due to high humidity and temperatures.
Another experiment was launched in seawater at the port of Lampung. Scientists are testing the materials for corrosion resistance to protect ships and underwater structures from microorganisms.
"Three metal plates were submerged to a depth of 1.5 meters: a regular plate; one coated with copper oxide, which is typically used in such cases; and one coated with our nanoparticle concentrate. The microorganisms outgrowth significantly increases the weight of ships and reduces their speed by roughening the hull. We’ll see if this problem can be prevented using Tomsk materials," explained Rykun.
In August 2025, TSU received a grant from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science to carry out the project with Raden Intan State Islamic University. The research involves staff from TSU's Faculty of Physics and Engineering and the university's World-Class Research Center "Advanced Materials for Special Applications."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Tom Claes/Unsplash
Based on materials from TASS