Researchers at Spain’s Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) and the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), in collaboration with Corning Corporation, have developed a transparent antimicrobial copper coating for touch displays, which could prove beneficial in public settings, especially in post-pandemic times. This innovative technology, named TANCS (Transparent Nanostructured Copper Surface), involves applying a thin copper film to Corning’s Gorilla Glass, followed by rapid thermal annealing at 390 ℃ for 10 minutes to form copper nanoparticles.
The result is a coating that retains the antibacterial effectiveness of copper while being transparent and electrically conductive. Tests demonstrated that this nanostructured surface could kill 99.9% of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria within two hours and remained durable after multiple cleanings. This development represents a significant step towards safer, antimicrobial touchscreens for both public and private use, though further refinement is needed before commercial application. 
