World-first antimicrobial medical gloves

A new type of medical examination glove that has built in antimicrobial technology proven to prevent the spread of infection has been developed with help from University of Nottingham scientists. 

The new gloves are the first non-leaching antimicrobial medical gloves in the world. They are eventually expected to sell in their billions as healthcare organisations strive to fight infection and combat antimicrobial resistance. 

Professor Emeritus Richard James, has been working for several years on the project with medical glove makers Hartalega Malaysia and antimicrobial research and development company Chemical Intelligence UK. Professor of Infectious Diseases, Roger Finch and Nottingham chemistry alumnus Dr Paul Wight, and Tim Self, Head of the School of Life Sciences Imaging Unit were also closely involved with the development and testing of the gloves. 

In independent testing, the gloves achieved up to a 99.9% kill within just five minutes of contact. Part of the testing was carried out in the Advanced Microscopy Unit at the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Biomolecular Science.

Professor James said:

These gloves will be a game-changer for the healthcare industry, both public and private. I am delighted that my lifetime’s research into bacteria and antibiotic resistance has directly informed the science behind a practical tool that will have a major impact on medical care in the future.