Abstract: Compositions comprising miscible blends of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds with certain thermoplastic polymers are provided. These antimicrobial polymeric materials may be further processed into particulate or fiber form for use in fluid treatment devices and processes. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, is distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin, in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble to form a miscible blend, which may be from about 1% to about 25% by weight antimicrobial bisguanide compound. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be secured in a device for antimicrobial treatment of a fluid. The devices may comprise a housing having at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice, the antimicrobial polymeric material being secured within the house and configured to contact a fluid flowing through the housing between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice.

Abstract: Fibrous antimicrobial materials for use in structures and barrier applications, such as face masks and wound dressings, have been developed from antimicrobial polymeric materials. The fibrous antimicrobial materials also are particularly suitable for use in air and water filtration. The antimicrobial polymeric materials are prepared from solid solutions of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds blended with certain thermoplastic polymers. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be extruded into fibers or used in the particulate form for preparation of the nonwoven antimicrobial materials. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, are distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble, to form a miscible blend. Methods for their formation and use also are provided.

Abstract: Fibrous antimicrobial materials for use in structures and barrier applications, such as face masks and wound dressings, have been developed from antimicrobial polymeric materials. The fibrous antimicrobial materials also are particularly suitable for use in air and water filtration. The antimicrobial polymeric materials are prepared from solid solutions of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds blended with certain thermoplastic polymers. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be extruded into fibers or used in the particulate form for preparation of the nonwoven antimicrobial materials. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, are distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble, to form a miscible blend. Methods for their formation and use also are provided.

Abstract: Fibrous antimicrobial materials for use in structures and barrier applications, such as face masks and wound dressings, have been developed from antimicrobial polymeric materials. The fibrous antimicrobial materials also are particularly suitable for use in air and water filtration. The antimicrobial polymeric materials are prepared from solid solutions of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds blended with certain thermoplastic polymers. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be extruded into fibers or used in the particulate form for preparation of the nonwoven antimicrobial materials. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, are distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble, to form a miscible blend. Methods for their formation and use also are provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising miscible blends of antimicrobial bisguanide compounds with certain thermoplastic polymers are provided. These antimicrobial polymeric materials may be further processed into particulate or fiber form for use in fluid treatment devices and processes. The antimicrobial bisguanide compound, such as chlorhexidine, is distributed at the molecular level within at least one thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin, in which the antimicrobial bisguanide compound is soluble to form a miscible blend, which may be from about 1% to about 25% by weight antimicrobial bisguanide compound. The antimicrobial polymeric materials may be secured in a device for antimicrobial treatment of a fluid. The devices may comprise a housing having at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice, the antimicrobial polymeric material being secured within the house and configured to contact a fluid flowing through the housing between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice.

Abstract: Composite materials with broad spectrum antimicrobial properties and methods and devices for fluid treatment utilizing said materials are provided. The antimicrobial composite materials may include combinations of activated carbon and a biguanide hydrate. A particular composition includes a mixture of carbon particles and particles of chlorhexidine hydrate, which is useful in fixed particle bed water treatment devices and methods.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition for use in water, air, and other fluid treatment applications is provided. The composition includes a biguanide dihydrate compound, such as a chlorhexidine dihydrate, which exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inactivating microbiological contaminants in a fluid are provided for use in water, air, and other fluid treatment applications. The device includes (i) a housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet; and (ii) an antimicrobial material secured in the housing between said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial material is a biguanide dihydrate compound, such as a chlorhexidine dihydrate, which exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: Purification materials with broad spectrum antimicrobial properties and methods and devices for fluid treatment utilizing said materials are provided. The purification materials include biguanide hydrates and bases. A particular composition includes chlorhexidine dihydrate with the chemical formula (C22H30N10Cl2.1.3 H2O), which is useful in water purification applications.

Abstract: Purification materials with broad spectrum antimicrobial properties and methods and devices for fluid treatment utilizing said materials are provided. The purification materials include biguanide hydrates and bases. A particular composition includes chlorhexidine dihydrate with the chemical formula (C22H30N10Cl2.1.3 H2O), which is useful in water purification applications.

Abstract: Polymer mini-emulsions are provided comprising a dispersed phase which comprises particles of a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer and having an average particle size between 50 and 750 nm, the polymer particles comprising a polymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; an aqueous continuous phase in which said dispersed phase is dispersed; at least one co-stabilizer effective to stabilize the mini-emulsion; and optionally, a effective amount of at least one pharmaceutical agent, e.g., an anti-microbial agent. Biocompatible hydrophilic films formed from the mini-emulsions are provided, as are methods for making and using these barrier films on mammalian skin, particularly in the therapeutic treatment of serious skin wounds and burns. The flexible films tenaciously adhere to skin and are durable and washable. They preferably are permeable to air and water vapor, but can be formulated to substantially prevent gas or vapor permeation for use in contaminated environments.

Abstract: A distinctive graft copolymer is made by dissolving an alkyd resin in various vinyl monomers (methyl methacrylate, styrene, etc.). The monomer/alkyd solution is then miniemulsion polymerized to form a latex consisting of submicron particles of polymer with the alkyd grafted onto the polymer backbone. The latex can be applied to a substrate, which on drying forms a polymeric film with good film properties. The latex can be used in a latex paint formulation in place of an acrylate, acetate or styrene-divinyl benzene latex. In this way it is possible to produce water-borne alkyd coatings which combine the film hardness properties of an oil-based alkyd coating with easy application and cleanup. The coating will beneficially lack organic solvent exposure of typical standard latex coatings.

Abstract: An air cleaner comprises a cleaning element having a three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix of material for adsorbing airborne particulate matter and for absorbing volatile liquids and a variety of noxious gases. The three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix of material adsorbs particulate matter of many types and sizes and advantageously draws the particulate matter below the surface of the material. To enhance the cleaning properties of the material, the three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix of material may additionally comprise a zeolite to improve the absorption of gases and a metallic additive, such as copper sulfate, to inhibit biological activity. The material forming the three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix may be acrylamide, siloxane, acrylate, or a cellulosic material and may be in the form of fibers or particles.

Abstract: A bottle stress analysis system using polarized light for determining stress levels of a transparent plastic bottle includes a rotation assembly for rotating the bottle. A polarized light source assembly is insertible into the bottle cavity to direct plane polarized light through the bottle wall and an analyzer assembly is positioned outside the bottle for measuring intensity of light passing through the bottle wall. In order to measure changes in polarization, the analyzer assembly has a polarization analyzer positioned to transmit the light to a photodetector. A mechanism for rotating either the polarized light source or the analyzer to determine maximum and minimum polarized light intensity at the photodetector facilitates determination of stress at a plurality of points along the bottle wall.

Abstract: Methods for forming magnetic coatings on a nonmagnetic substrate include the application of a liquid film layer onto the substrate, the film layer being a dispersion of magnetic particles in a liquid resin binder solution which contains trioxane. The trioxane may or may not be removed from the cured layer. Thus, the trioxane may be present as a reactive solvent for the resin binder, in which case, a polymerization initiator for the trioxane is also present in the liquid film layer. The trioxane may then be polymerized in situ on the substrate to yield poly(oxymethylene).

Abstract: Vegetable oils or vegetable oil alkyds are emulsified in aqueous medium by means of a suitable emulsifying agent providing particles of oil or alkyd encapsulated in an oxygen permeable layer of emulsifying agent. The emulsified oil or alkyd particles are reduced to a predetermined size, and the emulsion is subjected to an oxygen-containing gas, preferably at elevated pressures, to effect autoxidation by cross-linking between olefin groups of unsaturated fatty acid moieties of the vegetable oils. Autoxidation is continued until the emulsified particles gel or nearly gel. When applied to a surface and exposed to air, the particles coalesce into a continuous film, and further oxidation and drying of the emulsion occurs.

Abstract: A particulate laden air or gas stream is moved by a blower through a duct to a centrifugal separator and fluid is injected into the air stream. The particles in the air stream become heavier from the injected fluid so that they will be separated more efficiently from the air in the centrifugal separator. A monitor detects the quantity of particulate in the air stream and a control system varies the quantity of fluid injected into the air stream in response to a change in the quantity of particulate in the air stream.