Silver, the oldest and most effective antibiotic, has recently found its way into hundreds of products from toothpaste to bed sheets, promising the complete annihilation of bacteria. Something so natural may seem like the perfect solution to eliminate bacteria, but there have been some concerns.
When silver is broken down into nanoparticles, a little can go a long way – and it does. Nanosilver in products like laundry soap will migrate to places it isn’t welcome, such as water treatment plants where bacteria is needed for water purification. It is also very expensive to produce.
Dr. Steven Kuznicki, a prolific inventor and professor in the department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, discovered an inexpensive and simple way to “fix” these problems -- a nanosilver carrier that would keep it fixed in place, unable to migrate.
“Because the ‘fixed’ nanosilver solves the major problems - expense and migration, it will allow new, broader applications,” Kuznicki said.
With the help of TEC Edmonton, the UofA’s technology transfer agent, Kuznicki formed a U of A spinoff called Alberta Nanometals Inc. TEC Edmonton has been working with the company since its inception, helping Kuznicki protect his intellectual property, refine his business plan and attract investment.
Kuznicki is looking for investment to start producing his product on a larger scale. Steve Jakeway, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at TEC Edmonton, recently started working with Kuznicki to get him prepared to pitch to investors.
“I certainly expect that Alberta Nanometals, with the help of TEC Edmonton, will receive the needed investments,” Jakeway said.
Even with Kuznicki’s 23 years of industry experience prior to his academic career at the U of A, he is still grateful for the commercialization support that TEC Edmonton has provided.
“TEC Edmonton is determined to help us succeed and get Alberta Nanometals to where it should be,” Kuznicki said. According to Kuznicki, that determination makes the difference when attempting to become a successful inventor. He is determined to turn his invention into a widely available, inexpensive treatment for microbial pathogens.