Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia by noble metal coating of endotracheal tubes: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind study

Background Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) causes increased mortality, prolonged hospital stay and increased healthcare costs. Prevention of VAP in intensive care units (ICUs) is currently based on several measures, and application of noble metal coating on medical devices has been shown to inhibit the bacterial adherence of microorganisms to the surface. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit of noble metal coating of endotracheal tubes for the prevention of VAP. Methods This was a multi-center, randomized, controlled, double-blind, prospective study including ventilated patients from nine ICUs from four hospital sites in Belgium. Patients were randomly intubated with identical appearing noble metal alloy (NMA) coated (NMA-coated group) or non-coated (control group) endotracheal tubes (ETT). Primary endpoint was the incidence of VAP. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of antibiotic days during ICU stay and tracheal colonization by pathogenic bacteria. Results In total, 323 patients were enrolled, 168 in the NMA-coated group and 155 in the control group. During ventilation, VAP occurred in 11 patients (6.5%) in the NMA-coated group and in 18 patients (11.6%) in the control group (p = 0.11). A higher delay in VAP occurrence was observed in the NMA-coated group compared with the control group by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19–0.88, p = 0.02). The number of antibiotic days was 58.8% of the 1,928 ICU days in the NMA-coated group and 65.4% of the 1774 ICU days in the control group (p = 0.06). Regarding tracheal colonization, bacteria occurred in 38 of 126 patients in the NMA-coated group (30.2%) and in 37 of 109 patients in the control group (33.9%) (p = 0.57). Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence to support the benefit of noble metal coating in the prevention of VAP. A confirmatory study in a larger population would be valuable. Trial registration: Clinical trial number: NCT04242706 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)

Ensuring uniform thickness of the conductive coating on the inner surface of the hemispherical resonator by magnetron sputtering

The possibilities of technological ensuring of the uniformity of thickness distribution of a thin-film metal coating produced by magnetron sputtering on the inner surface of a thinwalled silica resonator made in the shape of a hemisphere are considered. The possibility of minimizing the thickness of the coating by optimizing the diameter of the annular magnetron emission zone in combination with the distance from the resonator to the target made of sprayed material is shown. A further increase in the evenness of thickness of the coating is possible on the basis of the use of a fixed screen with a hole, the shape and location of which are calculated analytically, and the final configuration of the contour is specified empirically

Effect of Current Density and Bath Temperature to The Corrosion and Wear Behaviour of Tungsten Carbide - Nickel Electrodeposition Coating

The composite (ceramic-metal) coating has become a desired coating due to its higher wear and corrosion behaviour compares to metal coating only. This study focuses on the effect of the deposition parameter which is the current density and bath temperature on the corrosion and wear behaviour of the coating. As the current density and temperature will affect the movement of the electron during deposition, it is important to evaluate its effect on the coating thickness and its wear and corrosion performance. The mild steel was used as the substrate and nickel-tungsten carbide (Ni-WC) as the coating. Watts’s bath was used as an electrolyte with the addition of 25 g/l WC. 0.2 A/cm2 and 0.5 A/cm2 has been chosen as the current density while 30 °C and 50 °C as their temperature. The coating was characterised using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffractometer (XRD). Immersion test and weight loss test was used to evaluate the corrosion and wear behaviour respectively. The 3 g/l silicon carbide was used as abrasive materials in the wear testing. Vickers micro-hardness tester was used for hardness property evaluation. It is found that higher current density and higher bath temperature results in lower corrosion and wear rate which shows higher resistance.

Multifunctional Electrically Conductive Copper Electroplated Fabrics Sensitizes by In-Situ Deposition of Copper and Silver Nanoparticles

In this study, we developed multifunctional and durable textile sensors. The fabrics were coated with metal in two steps. At first, pretreatment of fabric was performed, and then copper and silver particles were coated by the chemical reduction method. Hence, the absorbance/adherence of metal was confirmed by the deposition of particles on microfibers. The particles filled the micro spaces between the fibers and made the continuous network to facilitate the electrical conduction. Secondly, further electroplating of the metal was performed to make the compact layer on the particle- coated fabric. The fabrics were analyzed against electrical resistivity and electromagnetic shielding over the frequency range of 200 MHz to 1500 MHz. The presence of metal coating was confirmed from the surface microstructure of coated fabric samples examined by scanning electron microscopy, EDS, and XRD tests. For optimized plating parameters, the minimum surface resistivity of 67 Ω, EMI shielding of 66 dB and Ohmic heating of 118 °C at 10 V was observed. It was found that EMI SH was increased with an increase in the deposition rate of the metal. Furthermore, towards the end, the durability of conductive textiles was observed against severe washing. It was observed that even after severe washing there was an insignificant increase in electrical resistivity and good retention of the metal coating, as was also proven with SEM images.

Particle Surface Modification in the Near-Electrode Region of an RF Discharge

The results of a study on particles’ surfaces after being exposed to the near-electrode region of a radio frequency (RF) discharge are presented. It was experimentally displayed that metal starts being deposited on the surface of particles levitating above the lower electrode of the discharge chamber after switching the RF discharge on. For melamine-formaldehyde (MF) particles, the appearance of an island metal coating is observed after 30 min of plasma exposure. Eroded electrodes and elements of the gas discharge chamber may serve as a source of deposited material. In addition, an analysis of the surface and composition of particles placed on the upper electrode after 6 h of plasma exposure is presented. We reveal that the composition and structure of the particle coating changes during the experiment. The MF particles under exposure become eroded, and needle-like structures containing metals are formed on their surface. We also observe the formation of columnar structures from the products of erosion of electrodes on particles with a metal coating.

Mathematical Model of Micropolar Lubricant Considering Viscosity-Pressure Dependence

In the study, based on the micropolar fluid flow equation for a “thin layer”, the continuity equation, the equation describing the profile of the molten contour of the guide coated with a low-melting metal alloy, and the equation for the mechanical energy dissipation rate, asymptotic and exact self-similar solution has been found for the zero (without considering the melting) and first (considering the melting) approximation of wedge-shaped support with the slider support profile adapted to the friction conditions and the low-melting metal coating of the guide surface. The research has taken into account the pressure dependence of the lubricant rheological properties and the melt having micropolar properties in the laminar flow regime. Analytical dependencies have been obtained for the molten surface profile of the low-melting metal coating of the guide and the field of velocities and pressure for the zero and first approximations. Also, the basic performance characteristics of the friction pair under consideration have been determined: the bearing capacity and the friction force. The impact of parameters determined by the coating melt, adapted to the support profile friction conditions, and the parameter characterizing the pressure dependence of the lubricant viscosity on the bearing capacity and friction force has been estimated.

Fabrication of Metal/Carbon Nanotube Composites by Electro Chemical Deposition

Metal/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are promising functional materials due to the various superior properties of CNTs in addition to the characteristics of metals, and consequently, many fabrication processes of these composites have been vigorously researched. In this paper, the fabrication process of metal/CNT composites by electrochemical deposition, including electrodeposition and electroless deposition, are comprehensively reviewed. A general introduction for fabrication of metal/CNT composites using the electrochemical deposition is carried out. The fabrication methods can be classified into three types: (1) composite plating by electrodeposition or electroless deposition, (2) metal coating on CNT by electroless deposition, and (3) electrodeposition using CNT templates, such as CNT sheets and CNT yarns. The performances of each type have been compared and explained especially from the view point of preparation methods. In the cases of (1) composite plating and (2) metal coating on CNTs, homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in electrochemical deposition baths is essential for the formation of metal/CNT composites with homogeneous distribution of CNTs, which leads to high performance composites. In the case of (3) electrodeposition using CNT templates, the electrodeposition of metals not only on the surfaces but also interior of the CNT templates is the key process to fabricate high performance metal/CNT composites.

Computational model of a micropolar lubricant with a non-standard support profile and a metal coating at incomplete filling of the working gap

The authors propose an asymptotic and exact self-similar solution for zero (without considering the melt) and the first (considering the melt) approximation of a wedge-shaped sliding support with a profile adapted to friction and a fusible metal coating of the guide surface. The solution is based on the equation of a micropolar liquid flow for a “thin layer”, the continuity equation, as well as the equation describing the profile of the molten contour of a guide coated with a fusible metal alloy. The authors have taken into account the formula of the rate of mechanical energy dissipation as well as rheological properties of the lubricant and the melt, which have micropolar properties in the laminar flow mode at incomplete filling of the working gap. Analytical dependences have been obtained for the profile of the molten surface of the guide coated with a low-melting metal alloy, as well as for the velocity and pressure fields at zero and first approximation. In addition, the main operating characteristics of the friction pair under consideration have been determined: the bearing capacity and the friction force. The article contains estimation of the influence of the parameters conditioned by coating melt and adapted to the friction conditions of the support profile, and the parameter characterizing the rheological properties of the lubricant, as well as the length of the loaded area in terms of bearing capacity and friction force.