Zirconium–Copper-based metallic glass thin films represent promising coatings in the biomedical sector for their combination of antibacterial property and wear resistance. However, finding a Zr–Cu metallic glass composition with desirable cytocompatibility and antibacterial property is extremely challenging. In this work, we have created a cytocompatible and (super-)hydrophobic Zr–Cu–Ag metallic glass coating with ≈95% antifouling properties. First, a range of different chemical compositions were prepared via Physical Vapor Deposition magnetron by co-sputtering Zr, Cu, and Ag onto a Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) substrate among which Zr_93·5Cu_6·2Ag_0.2, Zr_76·7Cu_22·7Ag_0.5, and Zr_69·3Cu_30·1Ag_0.6 were selected to be further investigate for their surface properties, antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed a micro-roughness fibrous structure holding superhydrophobic properties demonstrated by specimens' static and dynamic contact angle measurements ranging from 130° to 150°. The dynamic contact angle measurements have shown hysteresis below 10° for all coated samples which indicated the superhydrophobicity of the samples. To distinguish between antifouling and bactericidal effect of the coating, ions release from coatings into Luria Bertani Broth (LB), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) solutions were evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements after 24 ​h and 5 days. Antifouling properties were evaluated by infecting the specimens' surface with the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative Escherichia coli strain reporting a ≈95% reduction of bacteria adhesion as visually confirmed by FESEM and fluorescent live/dead staining. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) were used for direct cytocompatibility evaluation of coated samples and their metabolic activity was evaluated via relative fluorescence unit after 24 ​h and 5 days confirming that it was comparable to the controls (>97% viable cells). The results were further visualized by FESEM, fluorescent staining by Live/Dead Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit and confirmed the cytocompatibility of all coated samples. Finally, hMSC′ cytoplasm was stained by May Grunwald and Giemsa after 5days to detect and visualize the released ions which have diffused through the cells' membrane.

Thin and flexible materials that can provide efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding are urgently needed, particularly those that can be rapidly processed and withstand harsh environments. Cobalt‐based metallic glasses stand out as prime candidates due to their excellent soft magnetic properties, satisfactory shielding features, and mechanical properties. Herein, a recently developed technique is used to fabricate metallic glass microfibers from Co₆₆Fe₄Mo₂Si₁₆B₁₂ alloy. The produced microfibers are characterized for their size and uniformity by scanning electron microscopy and their amorphous structure is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The cobalt‐based metallic glass microfibers show an EMI shielding factor that reaches five in the static regime and obtains an up to 25‐fold increase of the attenuation constant in the Ku frequency band. This performance originates from the combination of soft magnetic properties and excellent electrical conductivity. In addition, the flexible microfibers exhibit excellent hardness and elasticity making them suitable for EMI shielding of complex geometries. Their hardness and elastic modulus are measured by nanoindentation to be 11.31 ± 0.60 GPa, and 110.54 ± 11.24 GPa, respectively.

Fe₄₀Ni₄₀B₂₀ metallic glass is a key material among the many amorphous systems investigated thus far, owing to its high strength and appealing soft magnetic properties that make it suitable for use as transformer cores. In this study, Fe₄₀Ni₄₀B₂₀ microfibers are fabricated down to 5 µm diameter. Three different melt–spinning wheel velocities: ≈51 m s⁻¹, ≈59 m s⁻¹, and ≈63 m s⁻¹ (MG1, MG2, MG3) are used. Their fully amorphous structure is confirmed using X–ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) traces reveal a larger relaxation profile for the higher–quenched microfiber. Vibrating sample magnetometer measurements showed a higher saturation magnetization of 136 emug⁻¹ for annealed metallic glass microfibers with a wheel velocity of 59.66 ms⁻¹. Cylindrical magnetic field shields are obtained by aligning and wrapping the fibers around a cast. The observed anisotropic static field shielding behavior is in accordance with the microfibers' anisotropic nature. Composite samples are also produced by embedding the microfibers in an epoxy matrix to investigate their electromagnetic properties at GHz frequencies. Inclusion of the microfibers increase the composite's attenuation constant by 20 to 25 times, making it an ideal candidate for applications in the communications frequency range.