[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Pelton_Robert.jpg” caption=”Robert Pelton, professor of chemical engineering and scientific director of the SENTINEL Bioactive Paper Network. File photo.”]A McMaster-led research initiative to develop bioactive paper that can detect and ward off life-threatening bacteria and viruses has been selected by The New York Times Magazine for its annual “Year in Ideas” issue to be published Sunday, Dec. 9.

Canadian research into bioactive paper is being undertaken by the SENTINEL Bioactive Paper Network, a consortium of 11 Canadian universities, eight industry partners, the National Research Council Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Ontario Centres of Excellence. The network is based at McMaster University and led by scientific director Robert Pelton, professor of chemical engineering.

Potential applications of bioactive paper currently under investigation include food packaging that signals the presence of E. coli and salmonella; hospital masks that detect and deactivate viruses such as SARS and dipsticks that can detect and purify unsafe drinking water.

Since its appearance in 2001, the “Year in Ideas” has become an annual December tradition of The New York Times Magazine. The issue takes a look at the past 12 months and identifies the ideas that helped to shape the year that was.