Photo: Ford
Researchers from Ford and the University of Michigan have teamed up in the fight against the microbes that over time turn the inside of a car or truck into a hotspot and discolor a vehicle surfaces. Americans spend about $2.3 billion a year on air fresheners, but some people are allergic to or simply don’t like the smell.
“Vehicle cabins are exposed to a wide variety of environmental conditions that can make them microbial breeding grounds,” said Cindy Peters, Ford Motor Company technical expert. “Based on growing consumer desire for health and wellness solutions, we decided to take a look at the interiors in Ford vehicles with the goal of creating a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing environment for our customers.”
A team led by microbial ecologist Dr. Blaise Boles is taking samples from cars owned by Ford or its employees in order to find out where germs are growing. The end goal is for Ford to develop a coating that will prevent these microorganisms from growing on the vehicle’s surfaces.
“Our findings suggest car interiors are complex ecosystems that house trillions of diverse microorganisms interacting with each other, with humans, and with their environment,” said Boles, assistant professor in the U-M Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. “The long-term goal is to define the microbial ecology of the car interior and to optimize the design of car interiors to promote comfort and environmental sustainability.”
“We weren’t surprised to find microbial hot spots on the steering wheel, since that is where a driver’s hands are most of the time,” added Peters. “The console area near the cupholders is a common location for spilled drinks, so it provides an ideal feeding ground for microbes.”
A team led by microbial ecologist Dr. Blaise Boles is taking samples from cars owned by Ford or its employees in order to find out where germs are growing. The end goal is for Ford to develop a coating that will prevent these microorganisms from growing on the vehicle’s surfaces.
“Our findings suggest car interiors are complex ecosystems that house trillions of diverse microorganisms interacting with each other, with humans, and with their environment,” said Boles, assistant professor in the U-M Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. “The long-term goal is to define the microbial ecology of the car interior and to optimize the design of car interiors to promote comfort and environmental sustainability.”
“We weren’t surprised to find microbial hot spots on the steering wheel, since that is where a driver’s hands are most of the time,” added Peters. “The console area near the cupholders is a common location for spilled drinks, so it provides an ideal feeding ground for microbes.”
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