Configured anti-bacterial material plug-in manufacturing method with high bacteria-resistance and low risk to humans
Ultra-fine antibacterial hazards evaluated within 3 weeks... Presenting humidifier disinfectant, microdust hazard standards
Joint research by Professors Byeon Jung-hoon (Mechanical Engineering) and Kim Jong-oh (Pharmacy) with Yonsei University
[November 18, 2019]
<from left to right, YU School of Mechanical Engineering Professor Byun Jung-hoon, School of Pharmacy Professor Kim Jong-oh, Yonsei University Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Hwang Jung-ho>
YU and Yonsei University conducted joint research to develop a method to quickly evaluate the hazards of ultra-fine substances such as microdust and humidifier disinfectants.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering Byun Jung-hoon and Professor of Pharmacy Kim Jong-oh from YU and Yonsei University Mechanical Engineering Professor Hwang Jung-ho worked together to configure a method to manufacture anti-bacteria mineral nanoparticles under hundreds of nanometers (nm) in the form of microdust (aerosol) using a plug-in system. They also devised the method to evaluate the harmfulness to the human body for such ultra-fine anti-bacterial substances within three weeks. This paper was joined by Gautam Milan (PhD course) of YU and Park Dae-hoon (PhD course) of Yonsei University as co-first authors.
The results of this study are receiving a great deal of attention due to the rapidly growing microdust in the atmosphere, the humidifier disinfectant incident that caused a social uproar, and growing concerns on harmful substances in the air. In particular, due to concerns on the harmfulness of silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) nanoparticles that are the most well-known anti-bacterial substances, they are being restricted by law for being used industrially such as in air filter coating substances, etc.
The research team stated, “We discovered the fact that by partially doping copper, which is a metal with very good anti-bacterial properties, in tellurium (Te), which is a metal known to be less harmful to the human body, it was possible to maintain anti-bacterial properties, while significantly lowering harmfulness to the human body.” They added, “Using this property, we successfully configured the platform to easily produce 200nm or lower safe anti-bacterial nanomaterials by simply plugging in.”
The research team also devised an evaluation method for verifying the functionality of safe anti-bacterial nanomaterials in the form of microdust and harmfulness to people within three weeks. Results of evaluating this newly developed substance showed that there was high anti-bacterial properties and low harms to the human body for evaluations inside and outside of the body.
Professor Byun Jung-hoon said, “Using this evaluation method, it has become possible to evaluate the hazards of mineral nano anti-bacterial materials within a relatively short period of time. It has become possible to set a new standard on whether existing or new anti-bacterial materials are truly safe.” He added, “Through follow-up research, it will be possible to play a big role in coming up with a solution to ease the national concerns on microdust, humidifier disinfectants, etc.”
Meanwhile, this study was conducted with the support of the National Research Foundation’s basic research project (backbone researcher and leading research center support project). The research results have been published in the acclaimed international academic journal published by the American Chemical Society ‘ACS Nano’ (impact factor 13.903) recent online issue [https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.9b04939 (study name: Plug-In Safe-by-Design Nanoinorganic Antibacterials)].
