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Tuesday, 28th September 2004 (4615 views)

New research has claimed that gold and other metals could be used in footwear and athletic equipment to kill bacteria and odour-causing microbes.<BR/><BR/>A company in Pennsylvania NanoHorizons is now trying to sell a range of metallic nanoparticles to freshen up people's feet and is hoping to offer some socks in around a years time.<BR/><BR/>According to Dan Hayes, director of operations for NanoHorizons, ancient Greeks and Romans used gold and silver to fight off foot odour too.<BR/><BR/>At present manufacturers can put the metals into products by mixing a bulk form of the material into a polymer, or by evaporating a layer of metal onto a surface, according to CNET News.<BR/><BR/>However NanoHorizons instead uses particles shaped like rods, which increase the surface area of the metal that can be used to create a chemical reaction that kills the microbes.<BR/><BR/>Mr Hayes claims that by using the nanoparticles to reduce smelly feet, a product could add approximately 20 cents to a dollar to its cost and it is now promoting its gold and silver nanoparticles to other firms.<img src="http://directnews.dehavilland.co.uk/dn.gif?feedid=196&itemid=3483920"/>

 

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