THAT old chestnut about silver being a potent weapon against monsters has just received a 21st Century update.
Samsung’s new line of home appliances uses nano-sized silver ions””positively charged silver particles 75,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair””to zap disease-causing molds, germs and bacteria. Not only does the nano size (nanotechnology deals with atomic particles measured in billionths of a meter) allow the silver ions to easily penetrate the cells of microorganisms, but the positive charge increases surface area and draws negatively charged elements toward them to greater effect.
This “Silver Nano” technology is available in four Samsung’s home appliances launched last week: the HA-1435A washing machine, the AS-24S6GB air conditioner, and two side-by-side refrigerators, namely the stainless steel RS-23JGRS and the mirror finish RS-21DLMR.
The nano-sized silver ions are used to coat refrigerator interiors, air-conditioner filters and washing machine tubs. The silver coating keeps food fresh 15 days longer than average and makes the refrigerator resistant to odor-causing bacteria. Air-conditioner filters treated with silver ions stop the growth of fungi and bacteria inside the air-conditioner, as well as reduce the presence of bacteria in the air within five minutes of operation. In washing machine tubs, meanwhile, the silver ion coating kills bacteria and fungi in soiled laundry.
The silver-ion technology is the product of an extensive three-year study in Korea involving a team of 30 electronic experts and over $10 million invested in research and development.
The antibiotic and disinfectant properties of silver have long been documented by modern science. Silver has been found to be toxic to pathogens yet harmless to humans, food and fabrics. NASA, as well as most major airlines, uses silver filters to guard against water-borne diseases.
From The Manilla Times
