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A new electronic bandage (绷带) uses flashes of light to kill bacteria. No antibiotics (抗生素) needed. The bandage has small LED bulbs that produce a type of high-energy light called ultraviolet-C (UVC) when it is put into use. UVC light is often used by doctors and dentists to sterilize (消毒) medical equipment. However, using UVC to sterilize wounds has been a challenge because it requires a source of energy. Typically, these bandages needed heavy batteries, but the new bandage is powered by wireless technology, without the need for heavy batteries. This allows the bandage to be more comfortable and flexible to wear and results in fewer used batteries in the trash.

The electricity for the bandage comes from a “powering coil (线圈),” which is a piece of fabric with copper wires in it. It is similar tọ how electric toothbrushes get their energy when placed in their charging cradles, according to Stephen Beeby, who led the team that created the bandage.

While the team didn’t invent wireless power or light-emitting bandages, they are the first to combine these technologies to create a UV antibacterial system that operates entirely wirelessly, as explained by Mahmoud Wagih, a co-worker of Beeby. The bandage may not look novel from the outside, but inside it contains a flexible strip with tiny LED lights that emit the UV light. When applied, the bandage periodically flashes UV light onto the wound’s surface to effectively remove hidden bacteria.

Amirhossein Hajiaghajani, a wireless power researcher, sees potential in this bandage but notes some challenge for its widespread use. The bandage needs to be within a certain range of its wireless energy source, the powering coil, which is currently about 20 to 30 centimeters. Hajiaghajani believes that this range is limited and suggests that expanding it will be a key focus for future development.