Hundreds of thousands of deaths are due to hospital-acquired infections, posing a challenge to health care facilities, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. A team of researchers in Israel has come up with a coating that could combat these infections. The coating can be put be on hospital bedding and reduce bacteria dramatically. It can also be used on other surfaces, from the gowns worn by patients to socks and carpets. Developed by Aharon Gedanken, a professor of the Department of Chemistry at the Bar Ilan University, the method uses ultrasonic sound waves to insert the anti-bacteria zinc oxide nano-particles into the fabric. This process is mainly physical, not chemical, which according to Professor Gedanken, is the main reason for the resilience of the coating. There is a strong bond between the miniscule-particles, which keeps them in place to kill bacteria. Professor Gedanken coated cotton fabric with the nano-particles. After being washed it 65 times in hospital washing machines the anti-bacterial properties remained effective. Sheets with the coating proved to be effective in reducing infection when tested in a hospital.