Abstract: Methods and systems for killing or inhibiting pathogens present in treatments area including but not limited to the nasal cavity, the vaginal area, and the anal area. The methods feature introducing a substrate with an antimicrobial metal into the treatment area. The substrate may be coated, lined, plated, or clad with the antimicrobial metal, either partially or entirely. Or, the substrate itself may be an antimicrobial metal. Antimicrobial metals include but are not limited to copper, zinc, silver, gold, and certain metal alloys. The step of directly contacting the substrate with antimicrobial metal to the treatment area kills or inhibits present pathogens. The antimicrobial metal may leave a trace amount of residue, which may continue to kill or inhibit pathogens after the system has been removed from the treatment area or penetrate into deeper layers of the treatment area.

Abstract: An antimicrobial sanitizer system for application of an antimicrobial material on skin or mucous membranes featuring a base handle (110) and a stem extending upwardly from the stem end of the base handle. The stem optionally is extendable from and retractable into an inner cavity in the base handle. The distal end of the stem is rounded and is adapted for insertion into the nasal cavity. At least a portion of the outer surface of the distal end of the stem features an antimicrobial material such as but not limited to copper.

Abstract: An antimicrobial sanitizer system for application of an antimicrobial material on skin or mucous membranes featuring a base handle (110) and a stem extending upwardly from the stem end of the base handle. The stem optionally is extendable from and retractable into an inner cavity in the base handle. The distal end of the stem is rounded and is adapted for insertion into the nasal cavity. At least a portion of the outer surface of the distal end of the stem features an antimicrobial material such as but not limited to copper.

Abstract: A passive solar water heater having a heat absorber and storage tank within an insulative housing. The housing is formed in a mold as a unitary structure having an exterior shell and a curved insulative interior covered with a reflective inner surface. The tank rests in a trough in the housing and is secured by a mounting which prevents heat conduction to the environment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for fabricating a passive solar water heater having a heat absorber and storage tank within an insulative housing. The housing is formed in a mold as a unitary structure having an exterior shell and a curved insulative interior covered with a reflective inner surface. The tank rests in a trough in the housing and is secured by a mounting which prevents heat conduction to the environment. The shell material may be fiberglass and the insulative material may be expanded polymeric material.

Abstract: A superior performance passive solar water heater of the type combining heat absorber and storage in a tank adapted to minimize heat loss due to night time re-radiation, wind, and other methods by which a solar heater loses heat due to radiation, conduction, and convection of the heat from the water heater. More specifically, improvements are made to substantially reduce the water storage tank heat radiation, to maintain the tank a substantially air-tight environment, to interrupt in the heat conduction path from the tank environment, to remove the hottest water first from the heated tank, and to introduce cold water into the tank in such a manner as to miniminally disrupt the heated water in the tank.