Panjab University Breakthrough Reimagines Healthcare Paints
A new materials innovation emerging from Chandigarh could reshape how hospitals address surface-borne infections, with potential implications for public health infrastructure across Indian cities. Researchers at a leading public university in the city have secured an Indian patent for an antimicrobial paint additive designed to reduce the spread of infections in healthcare environments, a challenge that gained renewed urgency during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The patented technology focuses on integrating an antimicrobial compound into architectural paints used on interior surfaces such as walls, beds, and fixed hospital furniture. According to researchers involved in the project, the additive actively neutralises harmful bacteria that commonly survive on frequently touched surfaces, without releasing toxic by-products into indoor air. This feature is particularly relevant for enclosed environments like wards and intensive care units, where air quality and patient vulnerability are critical concerns.The innovation was developed through interdisciplinary collaboration spanning chemical engineering, nanotechnology, and biophysics. The work began during the pandemic years, when hospital-acquired infections placed immense strain on health systems and were linked to severe secondary complications. Surface contamination was identified as a persistent, under-addressed transmission pathway, especially in high-occupancy facilities with limited turnaround time for deep sanitation.
Urban health planners note that the significance of such technologies extends beyond individual hospitals. As Indian cities expand healthcare capacity through new public hospitals, medical colleges, and private facilities, the materials used in construction and retrofitting play a growing role in long-term resilience. Antimicrobial coatings, when safely engineered, can reduce dependence on repeated chemical disinfection, lowering operational costs and environmental load while improving baseline hygiene.Importantly, the paint additive is designed to remain stable within the coating matrix, rather than dispersing into surrounding environments. This characteristic addresses a common concern associated with antimicrobial treatments, namely the risk of toxicity or unintended exposure for patients, healthcare workers, and maintenance staff.
Experts in sustainable building design suggest that such material-level interventions align with people-first urban development, where infrastructure quietly supports wellbeing without behavioural burden. Hospitals, especially in dense urban areas, are increasingly being evaluated not only on bed capacity but on infection control, lifecycle efficiency, and adaptability to future health crises.
The patent opens pathways for collaboration with paint manufacturers, hospital authorities, and public works departments, potentially enabling large-scale deployment in both new construction and renovation projects. While commercial timelines have not been disclosed, the development signals how academic research can directly inform safer built environments.
As cities rethink healthcare infrastructure in a post-pandemic world, innovations like antimicrobial paint additives highlight the role of material science in building healthier, more resilient urban systems. The challenge ahead lies in translating laboratory breakthroughs into accessible, scalable solutions that can quietly improve safety where it matters most.
