What is "sharklet"

Sharklet may refer to:

• Sharklet, a specialized wingtip on the Airbus A320 aircraft; see Wingtip device#Blended winglets
• Sharklet (material), a specialized material having the microscopic structure of Galapagos Shark skin which resists the development of bacterial colonies mechanically, not chemically

Sharklet, manufactured by Sharklet Technologies, is a plastic sheet product. Its surface is structured to impede bacterial growth. It is marketed for use in hospitals and other places with a relatively high potential for bacteria to spread and cause infections. Coating surfaces with Sharklet greatly reduces the growth of bacteria, due to the nano-scale texture of the product's surface.

The inspiration for Sharklet's texture was made by analyzing the texture of shark skin, which does not attract barnacles or other biofouling, unlike ship hulls and other smooth surfaces. The texture was found to also repel microbial activity.