• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.195-199
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• 2022

The use of copper antibacterial films as an effective infection prevention method is increasing owing to its ability to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. In this study, we evaluated the bacterial contamination of the antibacterial copper membrane attached to a door handle at a university over time. Six mounting locations with high floating population were selected. In three sites, the door handles with the antibacterial film were exposed, while the remaining three were not attached with the antibacterial films. On days 7 and 14, isolated bacterial strains were inoculated in BHI broth and agar, respectively. Colony-forming units (CFU) were determined after incubation. Strain identification was performed using bacterial 16s rRNA PCR and sequencing. Results showed that the bacterial population on day 14 significantly increased from 6 × 10⁹ CFU/mL (day 7) to 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/mL. Furthermore, strain distribution was not different between the on and off the copper antibacterial film groups. In conclusion, although copper has an antibacterial activity, microbial contamination may occur with prolonged use.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2002

For the austenitic stainless steel (304L) manufactured by metal injection molding(MIM), the effects of copper content and sintering temperature on the mechanical properties, antibacterial activities, corrosion resistance, and electric resistances were investigated. The specimens were prepared by injection molding of the premixed powders of water-atomized 304 L and Cu with poly-acetyl binders. The green compacts were prepared with various copper contents from 0 to 10 wt.% Cu, which were debound thermally at 873 K for 7.2 ks in $N_2$gas atmosphere and subsequently sintered at various temperatures from 1323 K to 1623 K for 7.2 ks in Ar gas atmosphere. The relative density and tensile strength of the sintered compacts showed the minimum values at 5 and 8 wt.% Cu, respectively. Both the relative density and the tensile strength of the specimen with 10 wt.% Cu sintered at 1373 K showed the highest values, higher than those of copper-free specimen. Antibacterial activities investigated by the plastic film contact printing method for bacilli and the quantitative analysis of copper ion dissolved in water increased as the increase of the copper content to stainless steels. It was also verified by the measurement of pitting potential that the copper addition in 304 L could improve the corrosion resistance. Furthermore the electric conductivity increased with the increase of copper content.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.562-567
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• 2021

To develop an antibacterial tempered glass for applications to various building facilities and household products, the antibacterial activity of domestic materials was investigated, and a tempered glass sample was produced with silver, copper, and zinc, having an antibacterial activity of 99% or more at a specific concentration. The measured antibacterial activity of the samples, in which silver, copper, and zinc were dispersed in ethylene glycol + glycerol, was more than 99%. Measurements of the thickness of the coated metal material by washing using a surface analyzer showed that the thickness decreased by less than 1% in various types of detergents, including water, but only approximately 10% in the alkaline detergents. To check the human safety of the samples, a cytotoxicity test was performed through an MTT assay; the samples showed no cytotoxicity. Finally, a Live/Dead kit or film adhesion method showed that the antibacterial activity of the prototype was more than 99%. Therefore, the high-functional antibacterial effect of tempered glass was developed using domestic materials and may be used in various products in the future.