Electrochemical eradication of microbes on surfaces of objects

Abstract

Describe is an apparatus for reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The apparatus comprises counter electrode, a reference electrode, and an electrical lead for attachment to the object such that the object can be used as the working electrode. A potentiostatic device is configured to pass electrical current through the working and counter electrodes. The current through the counter electrode is varied such that the electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, the apparatus comprising:
 a reference electrode;   a counter electrode;   an electrical lead configured for attachment to the object such that, when attached, the object acts as a working electrode; and   a potentiostatic device in electrical communication with the electrical lead, the counter electrode, and the reference electrode, the potentiostatic device configured to:
 pass electrical current through the working and counter electrodes when the object is attached to the electrical lead; and 
 vary the current through the counter electrode such that the electric potential of the working electrode is substantially constant relative to an electric potential of the reference electrode, and the electric potential of the working electrode is chosen such that the growth of microbes on the object is reduced or prevented. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the potentiostatic device is a potentiostat.