Silver Nanowires (AgNW) is a new emerging class of nanomaterial characterized by their elongated needle like shape that confers those unique properties (conduction of heat, charge…). They are expected to be incorporated into several types of consumer products, including touchscreen and flexible displays, smart textiles, medical devices... However, as high aspect ratio and reactive nanomaterials they have a potential for adverse impacts that have been poorly studied to date.
As several applications are expected to induce a close contact of AgNW devices with skin, our aim is to characterize the impact of exposure of AgNW to skin cells by investigating their uptake by cells and cell response using standard assays (viability, oxidative stress induction and membrane integrity assays). Also through a collaboration with our material synthesis team, we will apply a safe by design approach to mitigate the intrinsic toxicity of AgNW by modulating their characteristic and investigating the consequences on cell’s function. Finally, our objective is to reach the best possible adequacy between technological performance and nanowire hazard.
Dark field and fluorescent microscopy merge image showing the internalization of AgNW (in white)
by fibroblasts cells (nucleus is stained in blue by Hoechst) after 24 hours of exposure (courtesy of Sylvia Lehmann.