Abstract: A method of imparting sustained antimicrobial properties throughout a material or substrate using an antimicrobial polymerizable silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer in a solvent to form a quaternary ammonium salt solution; and mixing the silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt solution with at least a second monomer or a polymer or coating a solid polymer. Depending on the nature of the second monomer or polymer and the reaction conditions; a copolymer with the first monomer or a homopolymer will form, such that a polymeric material, substrate or formed plastic product comprising the copolymer or homopolymer or blended with the coated concentrate will have sustained antimicrobial properties. This method can be used to make formed plastic products, thin layer films and other products having sustained antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer is disclosed containing silicon-containing quaternary ammonium groups, the polymer including in its structure repeating units of Formula II: R3N+R0nSiX?4-nY???(II) wherein each R and each R0 is independently a non-hydrolysable organic group; each X? is —OR?, —OH or —O—Si, wherein R? is an alkyl group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, or an aryl group of 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 0 to 3; and Y is an anionic moiety suitable to form the salt of the repeating units of Formula II. Also disclosed are methods of making such a polymer and imparting sustained antimicrobial properties to a substrate using the polymer.

Abstract: Applicants' invention is a product that is biocompatible and antimicrobial. According to Applicants' invention, a monomeric quaternary ammonium salt in a solvent is exposed to a polymeric substrate. The quaternary salt in solvent is absorbed by the polymeric substrate and the quaternary salt is polymerized thereby creating a product having quaternary salts impregnated on its surface. The polymerized material also penetrates the surface to some depth forming an interpenetrating network.

Abstract: A method of increasing the capacity of an existing landfill to enable the disposal of additional material therein includes excavating material disposed in the existing landfill, separating from the excavated material one or more components thereof, comminuting the components of the excavated material which are not removed by the previous step, and placing the comminuted material back into the landfill.

Abstract: A method for disposing of infectious medical waste in a closed system includes the steps of shredding the waste in the closed system to reduce the waste to small particles and indirectly heating the waste particles in the closed system by contacting the waste particles with a heated surface. The waste particles are indirectly heated to a sufficiently high temperature and for a sufficient period of time to produce a quantitative assurance of sterilization of the waste particles. Air is continuously drawn through the closed system to control the pressure and moisture in the closed system.