7 ms·

Dual antibacterial properties of copper-coated nanotextured stainless steel

107 points by westurner 2y ago

westurner 2y ago
"Dual Antibacterial Properties of Copper-Coated Nanotextured Stainless Steel" (2024) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202311546 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202311546 : > Abstract: Bacterial adhesion to stainless steel, an alloy commonly used in shared settings, numerous medical devices, and food and beverage sectors, can give rise to serious infections, ultimately leading to morbidity, mortality, and significant healthcare expenses. In this study, Cu-coated nanotextured stainless steel (nSS) fabrication have been demonstrated using electrochemical technique and its potential as an antibiotic-free biocidal surface against Gram-positive and negative bacteria. As nanotexture and Cu combine for dual methods of killing, this material should not contribute to drug-resistant bacteria as antibiotic use does. This approach involves applying a Cu coating on nanotextured stainless steel, resulting in an antibacterial activity within 30 min. Comprehensive characterization of the surface revealing that the Cu coating consists of metallic Cu and oxidized states (Cu2+ and Cu+), has been performed by this study. Cu-coated nSS induces a remarkable reduction of 97% in Gram-negative Escherichia coli and 99% Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria. This material has potential to be used to create effective, scalable, and sustainable solutions to prevent bacterial infections caused by surface contamination without contributing to antibiotic resistance. - "This modified stainless steel could kill bacteria without antibiotics or chemicals" (2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-05-stainless-steel-bacteria-antibiotics-chemicals.amp https://phys.org/news/2024-05-stainless-steel-bacteria-antib...
- westurner 2y ago
  "Scientists create virucidal silicon surface without any chemicals" (2023) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39196781#39196822 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39196781#39196822 : "Piercing of the Human Parainfluenza Virus by Nanostructured Surfaces" (2024) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.3c07099 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.3c07099 : > We used reactive ion etching to fabricate silicon (Si) surfaces featuring an array of sharp nanospikes with an approximate tip diameter of 2 nm and a height of 290 nm. The nanospike surfaces exhibited a 1.5 log reduction in infectivity of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) after 6 h, a substantially enhanced efficiency, compared to that of smooth Si.
ceejayoz 2y ago
What happens if you breathe the coating in?
- westurner 2y ago
  Copper toxicity > Signs and symptoms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_toxicity#Signs_and_symptoms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_toxicity#Signs_and_symp... : > The US EPA lists copper as a micronutrient and a toxin. [11] Toxicity in mammals includes a wide range of animals and effects such as liver cirrhosis, necrosis in kidneys and the brain, gastrointestinal distress, lesions, low blood pressure, and fetal mortality. [12][13][14] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 0.1 mg/m3 for copper fumes (vapor generated from heating copper) and 1 mg/m3 for copper dusts (fine metallic copper particles) and mists (aerosol of soluble copper) in workroom air during an eight-hour work shift, 40-hour work week. [15] Toxicity to other species of plants and animals is noted to varying levels. [11] A reasonable production process would need to contain and could probably reuse copper emissions
- greenavocado 2y ago
  If you ever spend time within a few hundred meters of other cars such as while driving around or walking along a road you are inhaling large amounts of aerosolized metal particles from brake dust. If you want a large sample to verify this phenomenon, pull up to a semi tractor trailer as the truck brakes to a sudden stop such as when slowing down on the freeway upon hitting heavy traffic and take a good whiff.
  - ceejayoz 2y ago
    Are they specifically engineered to be deadly to cells, though?
    - callalex 2y ago
      Can you explain the relevance of this question? I think it’s likely I’m missing something, but your question sounds like: “Yes, volcano eruptions have killed innumerable people and species…but were they _specifically engineered_ as killing machines?? Gotcha!”
duffpkg 2y ago
As someone that has built and operated large multipractice and acute care facilities some of the most vicious fights I've had with medical entities and boards is about changing hardware back to the older brass/copper which is inherently antibacterial and only needs cleaning with soap/water to self disinfect versus stainless steel which needs cleaning with bleach and can foster or even lead to the creation of resistant and other problematic bacteria. The objections were mostly about the visual appearance. I am not sure I see the advantage to this new material over the good old brass/copper. There is a perceived cost premium to it but it isn't meaningful in practice. This paper alleges this new process is cheaper but I would be incredibly dubious of that. At ClearHealth we were successful in substantially reducing hospital acquired infection (HAI) rates at managed facilities to industry best in part because of our "reversion" to copper/brass hardware. One of the most obvious signs you are in a well managed health system is seeing copper/brassy touch surfaces instead of stainless. https://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/ba-news/2010/january/article3.html https://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/ba-news/2010... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_co... https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/24/as-hospitals-look-to-prevent-infections-a-chorus-of-researchers-make-a-case-for-copper-surfaces/ https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/24/as-hospitals-look-to-pre...
- koolba 2y ago
  From the Wikipedia page: > The oligodynamic effect was discovered in 1893 as a toxic effect of metal ions on living cells, algae, molds, spores, fungi, viruses, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic microorganisms, even in relatively low concentrations.[7] This antimicrobial effect is shown by ions of copper as well as mercury, silver, iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, gold, and aluminium. So I can justify wearing a bunch of oversized gold chains as “for my health”?
  - nelox 2y ago
    Go the whole-hog and dip yourself in mercury.
    - 2y ago
jschveibinz 2y ago
50-75 years ago, brass handles were the norm on public buildings like schools, government buildings, factory buildings, hospitals, etc. Can we please stop changing things that don't need to be changed?
- BartjeD 2y ago
  Copper gets stolen a lot these days. Even from cables. So door handles might not be the best idea.
  - RF_Savage 2y ago
    Brass handrails and large door handles do regularly get stolen here.
  - hoseja 2y ago
    The solution is to punish and prevent theft, not to give up.
    - coldtea 2y ago
      Both of those are hopeless as the US crime stats show despite the medieval punishment system. It's more about preventing the root cause of crime: culture and economy.
      - kjkjadksj 2y ago
        Medieval? Have you seen a prison elsewhere in the americas in comparison? America is like a glowing bastion in comparison.
      - tshannon 2y ago
        Exactly. As inflation goes up and wages remain stagnant, more and more people are doing the risk calculus that makes stealing and crime in general worthwhile. People with good paying jobs that don't wear them down the bone don't steal things, but when you're looking at spending 90% of your pay on a shared living space, and no money left for food, or emergencies, then stealing copper, or catalytic converters all of a sudden starts looking like a valid option.

107 points by westurner 2y ago

"Dual Antibacterial Properties of Copper-Coated Nanotextured Stainless Steel" (2024) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202311546 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202311546 : > Abstract: Bacterial adhesion to stainless steel, an alloy commonly used in shared settings, numerous medical devices, and food and beverage sectors, can give rise to serious infections, ultimately leading to morbidity, mortality, and significant healthcare expenses. In this study, Cu-coated nanotextured stainless steel (nSS) fabrication have been demonstrated using electrochemical technique and its potential as an antibiotic-free biocidal surface against Gram-positive and negative bacteria. As nanotexture and Cu combine for dual methods of killing, this material should not contribute to drug-resistant bacteria as antibiotic use does. This approach involves applying a Cu coating on nanotextured stainless steel, resulting in an antibacterial activity within 30 min. Comprehensive characterization of the surface revealing that the Cu coating consists of metallic Cu and oxidized states (Cu2+ and Cu+), has been performed by this study. Cu-coated nSS induces a remarkable reduction of 97% in Gram-negative Escherichia coli and 99% Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria. This material has potential to be used to create effective, scalable, and sustainable solutions to prevent bacterial infections caused by surface contamination without contributing to antibiotic resistance. - "This modified stainless steel could kill bacteria without antibiotics or chemicals" (2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-05-stainless-steel-bacteria-antibiotics-chemicals.amp https://phys.org/news/2024-05-stainless-steel-bacteria-antib...

westurner 2y ago
"Scientists create virucidal silicon surface without any chemicals" (2023) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39196781#39196822 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39196781#39196822 : "Piercing of the Human Parainfluenza Virus by Nanostructured Surfaces" (2024) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.3c07099 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.3c07099 : > We used reactive ion etching to fabricate silicon (Si) surfaces featuring an array of sharp nanospikes with an approximate tip diameter of 2 nm and a height of 290 nm. The nanospike surfaces exhibited a 1.5 log reduction in infectivity of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) after 6 h, a substantially enhanced efficiency, compared to that of smooth Si.

ceejayoz 2y ago

What happens if you breathe the coating in?

westurner 2y ago
Copper toxicity > Signs and symptoms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_toxicity#Signs_and_symptoms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_toxicity#Signs_and_symp... : > The US EPA lists copper as a micronutrient and a toxin. [11] Toxicity in mammals includes a wide range of animals and effects such as liver cirrhosis, necrosis in kidneys and the brain, gastrointestinal distress, lesions, low blood pressure, and fetal mortality. [12][13][14] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 0.1 mg/m3 for copper fumes (vapor generated from heating copper) and 1 mg/m3 for copper dusts (fine metallic copper particles) and mists (aerosol of soluble copper) in workroom air during an eight-hour work shift, 40-hour work week. [15] Toxicity to other species of plants and animals is noted to varying levels. [11] A reasonable production process would need to contain and could probably reuse copper emissions
greenavocado 2y ago
If you ever spend time within a few hundred meters of other cars such as while driving around or walking along a road you are inhaling large amounts of aerosolized metal particles from brake dust. If you want a large sample to verify this phenomenon, pull up to a semi tractor trailer as the truck brakes to a sudden stop such as when slowing down on the freeway upon hitting heavy traffic and take a good whiff.
- ceejayoz 2y ago
  Are they specifically engineered to be deadly to cells, though?
  - callalex 2y ago
    Can you explain the relevance of this question? I think it’s likely I’m missing something, but your question sounds like: “Yes, volcano eruptions have killed innumerable people and species…but were they _specifically engineered_ as killing machines?? Gotcha!”

duffpkg 2y ago

As someone that has built and operated large multipractice and acute care facilities some of the most vicious fights I've had with medical entities and boards is about changing hardware back to the older brass/copper which is inherently antibacterial and only needs cleaning with soap/water to self disinfect versus stainless steel which needs cleaning with bleach and can foster or even lead to the creation of resistant and other problematic bacteria. The objections were mostly about the visual appearance. I am not sure I see the advantage to this new material over the good old brass/copper. There is a perceived cost premium to it but it isn't meaningful in practice. This paper alleges this new process is cheaper but I would be incredibly dubious of that. At ClearHealth we were successful in substantially reducing hospital acquired infection (HAI) rates at managed facilities to industry best in part because of our "reversion" to copper/brass hardware. One of the most obvious signs you are in a well managed health system is seeing copper/brassy touch surfaces instead of stainless. https://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/ba-news/2010/january/article3.html https://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/ba-news/2010... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_co... https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/24/as-hospitals-look-to-prevent-infections-a-chorus-of-researchers-make-a-case-for-copper-surfaces/ https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/24/as-hospitals-look-to-pre...

koolba 2y ago
From the Wikipedia page: > The oligodynamic effect was discovered in 1893 as a toxic effect of metal ions on living cells, algae, molds, spores, fungi, viruses, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic microorganisms, even in relatively low concentrations.[7] This antimicrobial effect is shown by ions of copper as well as mercury, silver, iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, gold, and aluminium. So I can justify wearing a bunch of oversized gold chains as “for my health”?
- nelox 2y ago
  Go the whole-hog and dip yourself in mercury.
  - 2y ago

jschveibinz 2y ago

50-75 years ago, brass handles were the norm on public buildings like schools, government buildings, factory buildings, hospitals, etc. Can we please stop changing things that don't need to be changed?

BartjeD 2y ago
Copper gets stolen a lot these days. Even from cables. So door handles might not be the best idea.
- RF_Savage 2y ago
  Brass handrails and large door handles do regularly get stolen here.
- hoseja 2y ago
  The solution is to punish and prevent theft, not to give up.
  - coldtea 2y ago
    Both of those are hopeless as the US crime stats show despite the medieval punishment system. It's more about preventing the root cause of crime: culture and economy.
    - kjkjadksj 2y ago
      Medieval? Have you seen a prison elsewhere in the americas in comparison? America is like a glowing bastion in comparison.
    - tshannon 2y ago
      Exactly. As inflation goes up and wages remain stagnant, more and more people are doing the risk calculus that makes stealing and crime in general worthwhile. People with good paying jobs that don't wear them down the bone don't steal things, but when you're looking at spending 90% of your pay on a shared living space, and no money left for food, or emergencies, then stealing copper, or catalytic converters all of a sudden starts looking like a valid option.