New copper-based fabric promises germ-free hospital environment By Reuters - Monday, September 29, 2014 22:50 Share this A children's burn unit in Chile is using a newly developed copper-based material in its hospital gowns that limits the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses, creating a safer environment for patients and doctors. TAG :burn unit, Chile, copper-based material, hospital, bacteria, fungi, viruses, safer environment, patients, doctors