Scientists have created a thin plastic film that can physically destroy viruses the moment they land on its surface. The breakthrough could help reduce the spread of disease from frequently touched items like smartphones, keyboards, and hospital equipment. Beyond its effectiveness, the material is also designed to be practical for real-world use. Unlike earlier antiviral surfaces made from metals or silicon, this new approach uses flexible plastic that can be produced at scale. How Nanopillars Tear Viruses Apart The film is made from acrylic and covered with extremely small structures known as nanopillars. These tiny features grip onto a virus and stretch its outer layer until it breaks apart. Instead of relying on chemical disinfectants, the surface uses mechanical force to disable the virus. Research published in Advanced Science found that this stretching method is more effective than earlier designs that attempted to puncture viruses.…