Antimicrobial second skin using copper nanomesh

Area of Science:

• Bioengineering
• Materials Science
• Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

• Achieving functional skin support while maintaining natural skin properties is a key bioengineering goal.
• Current antimicrobial methods for skin lack long-term wearability and can compromise natural skin functions.
• Preventing cross-infection without altering skin conditions remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel antimicrobial skin protection platform using copper nanomesh.
• To assess the efficacy of copper nanomesh in preventing cross-infection by bacteria and viruses.
• To determine the impact of copper nanomesh on skin's natural functions, including temperature and humidity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a thin and porous copper nanomesh.
• Testing antimicrobial activity against *Escherichia coli* and influenza virus A.
• Evaluating the effect of nanomesh on skin temperature change rate and humidity.
• Conducting on-hand experiments to demonstrate cross-infection prevention and thermal transfer.

Main Results:

• Copper nanomesh achieved 99.99% inactivation of *Escherichia coli* within 1 minute and influenza virus A within 10 minutes.
• The nanomesh demonstrated conformal coating on fingertips with minimal interference with skin temperature and humidity.
• Experiments confirmed efficient cross-infection prevention and thermal transfer capabilities of the copper nanomesh.

Conclusions:

• Copper nanomesh serves as an effective antimicrobial skin protection platform.
• This technology prevents cross-infection while preserving essential skin functions like temperature and humidity regulation.
• The developed copper nanomesh offers a promising solution for long-term, comfortable antimicrobial skin protection.