The device on which you're viewing this has a keyboard that can have up to 60 times the amount of microbials than on toilet seats, averaging 3,300 bacteria per square inch. If you're still reading, you're among those clamoring to hear more about Biosafe, the Pittsburgh-based company responsible for developing an antimicrobial with best-of-class safety, effectiveness and durability in protecting product surfaces from bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi and viruses. What's more, it's permanent.

Most recently, Biosafe launched an antimicrobial treatment for computer keyboards that will be used in a worldwide education program led by Intel Corp. The treatment, based on Biosafe's patented silane technology, is added to the surface of the plastic keys. The computers are Intel-powered Classmate PCs for children in grades K-8, sold overseas in Central and South America, Portugal and Spain. The partnership has Biosafe, which has been part of the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, planning to hire for sales and marketing positions as it continues to commercialize its antimicrobial treatments for industrial, medical and consumer applications.

In 2009, the company made waves for its microbe-killing mask that stemmed the spread of H1N1. Medical devices and healthcare environments is an obvious primary market, especially considering the $11 billion in annual costs nationwide of healthcare-acquired infections. Also big for Biosafe, which earned Environmental Protection Agency approval for its technology in 2007, are building products ($2 billion per year in mold-related insurance claims) and electronic/human interfaces (keyboards, ATM machines.