Abstract: A method of producing a metallized polymeric foam that produces an anti-microbial material using an advanced method of metallizing polymeric foam with a metal, such as silver. The foam material may be polyurethane, polyester, polyether, or a combination thereof. The method provides a 3-dimensional surface coating of the metal. The metallized substrate is durable and highly adherent. Such metallized foam is a highly effective filter and/or an anti-microbial product. The mechanism of filtration is mainly due to Vander Der Wal attraction. The anti-microbial activity may be due, in part, to the release of select metal ions as a response to stimuli.

Abstract: Input fibers to be used for the manufacture of textile components are cut to a proper length [113]. The fibers are metallized [115] with silver and copper. The metallized fibers are opened [121] and blended [123] with other fibers. The blended fibers are preferably opened again [125]. Then the blended fibers are oriented [127] and drawn [129] into a sliver. Roving [140] may be applied to the sliver to condense the fibers. The length of the fibers, the denier of the fibers, the amount of metal coating and composition of the metal coating are selected to provide an optimum amount of metal ion discharge to have the proper antimicrobial properties, while optimizing wound healing properties, and minimizing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the metal ion release rate of a substrate having a coating of a metal thereon. The method includes the steps of forming the metal-coated substrate and then subjecting the metal-coated substrate to a step that removes portions of the metal coating to form at least one notch in the metal coating, thereby increasing the surface area of the metal coating. The increased surface area enhances the metal ion release rate of the substrate. The metal may be silver. A silver-coated substrate may be used in the formation of medical products having increased antimicrobial and/or anti-fungal characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system consisting of reusable components for implementing data warehousing and business intelligence solutions. The reusable components comprise a data model component housing an exhaustive pre-built vertical and business function specific data models and key performance indicator libraries. The reusable components further comprise a MetAL component which serves as a key repository of all mappings between all standard source data systems and vertical function specific data models and KPIs used in the data model component. Being compliant with Common Warehouse Metamodel, the system is extraction and reporting tool neutral. In other words, the technical and business metadata can be exported to any of the CWM compliant extraction and reporting tools. The system further consists of an algorithm to automatically detect version changes in the standard source systems.