New Copper Coating Prevents Bacterial Infections

New Copper Coating Prevents Bacterial Infections Although existing formulations made from pure copper possess antibacterial properties and self-sterilizing characteristics, they kill certain bacterial species with thicker cell walls (gram-positive bacteria) more slowly than bacteria with thinner cell walls (gram-negative). A research team led by Dr. Amanda Clifford, Assistant Professor in the Materials Engineering department at UBC, designed a nano-copper coating containing zinc with bactericidal nanoscale properties. The coating's nanoscale structure eliminates bacteria by disrupting cell walls. Zinc, which is also antibacterial, selectively oxidizes with copper and helps kill bacteria more rapidly compared to formulations using pure copper alone. Clifford stated, "The use of our coating, which kills bacteria using multiple approaches, can significantly reduce the incidence of bacterial infection transmission from high-touch surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons in healthcare facilities. Additionally, it is less costly to produce this coating because it contains less copper than existing coatings and solid copper components." The team demonstrated that the material kills 99.7% of Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive pathogen typically responsible for hospital-acquired infections, in just one hour compared to two hours for pure copper. Dr. Clifford said, "This coating not only kills pathogens faster than pure copper, but also keeps antibiotics effective. By using this new formulation, we are slowing the rise of antibiotic resistance by killing pathogens without patients becoming infected and without needing to use antibiotics." The researchers filed a provisional patent application for the coating and manufacturing process described in a new article in Advanced Materials Interfaces. Dr. Clifford stated, "This coating aims to reach hospitals and healthcare organizations because these are places where antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are problematic. We do not want to reach a situation where we cannot use antibiotics." The research team plans to further develop the material against other pathogens such as viruses for commercialization purposes. The work is jointly funded by Teck Resources Limited, which places copper surfaces on high-touch surfaces at UBC's Faculty of Applied Science through the Copper & Health program. Teck President and CEO Don Lindsay stated, "Placing antimicrobial copper on high-contact surfaces is a proven way to increase safety, and Teck is proud to support and partner in UBC-led research that has the potential to make community health safer." Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science Dr. James Olson said, "Life-saving inventions of this kind are only possible with funding from industry partners like Teck. As the Faculty works to make its impact on the world by effectively addressing climate change, we are pleased that our researchers are supported by bold research and development investments from the private sector."   Academic Reference: Davood Nakhaie, Teresa C. Williams, Billie Velapatino, Elizabeth A. Bryce, Marthe K. Charles, Edouard Asselin, Amanda M. Clifford. An Engineered Nanocomposite Copper Coating with Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 2022; 2201009 DOI: 10.1002/admi.202201009