Abstract: A method for preparing a concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions, including providing an amount of trisilver citrate, providing an amount of citric acid, wherein the amount of the citric acid is at least 19 times the amount of the trisilver citrate by weight, and mixing the trisilver citrate and the citric acid in an amount of water to produce the concentrated solution, wherein the amount of water is selected so that the concentrated solution has a citrate ion concentration which is at least 300 grams per liter. A concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions, wherein the concentrated solution has a silver ion concentration which is at least 10 grams per liter. A diluted solution prepared by adding water to a concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a substrate and a deposition product and the use of a deposition product for providing an antimicrobial effect. The substrate of the composite material is a medical device. Further, in each of the composite material and the use, the deposition product consists essentially of at least one oxidized silver species and wherein the deposition product is comprised of a compound having the formula Ag7O8X, where X is an anion.

Abstract: A method for producing a deposition product includes providing a deposition solution having a pH below 7 and comprising an aqueous solution of a silver salt comprised of silver ions and an oxidizing agent. The silver salt is comprised of silver nitrate and has a concentration in the deposition solution between about 1 and 20 grams per liter. The oxidizing agent is comprised of a persulfate and has a concentration in the deposition solution between about 1 and 50 grams per liter. The method further includes producing the deposition product by facilitating a chemical reaction between the silver ions and the oxidizing agent while maintaining the deposition solution at a temperature of between about 2 and 40 degrees Celsius. The deposition product consists essentially of at least one oxidized silver species, and is comprised of a compound having the formula Ag7O8X, where X is an anion.

Abstract: A method for preparing a concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions, including providing an amount of trisilver citrate, providing an amount of citric acid, wherein the amount of the citric acid is at least 19 times the amount of the trisilver citrate by weight, and mixing the trisilver citrate and the citric acid in an amount of water to produce the concentrated solution, wherein the amount of water is selected so that the concentrated solution has a citrate ion concentration which is at least 300 grams per liter. A concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions, wherein the concentrated solution has a silver ion concentration which is at least 10 grams per liter. A diluted solution prepared by adding water to a concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a substrate and a deposition product and the use of a deposition product for providing an antimicrobial effect. The substrate of the composite material is a medical device. Further, in each of the composite material and the use, the deposition product consists essentially of at least one oxidized silver species and wherein the deposition product is comprised of a compound having the formula Ag7O8X, where X is an anion.

Abstract: A method for producing a deposition product includes providing a deposition solution having a pH below 7 and comprising an aqueous solution of a silver salt comprised of silver ions and an oxidizing agent. The silver salt is comprised of silver nitrate and has a concentration in the deposition solution between about 1 and 20 grams per liter. The oxidizing agent is comprised of a persulfate and has a concentration in the deposition solution between about 1 and 50 grams per liter. The method further includes producing the deposition product by facilitating a chemical reaction between the silver ions and the oxidizing agent while maintaining the deposition solution at a temperature of between about 2 and 40 degrees Celsius. The deposition product consists essentially of at least one oxidized silver species, and is comprised of a compound having the formula Ag7O8X, where X is an anion.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite material comprising a substrate and a deposition product. The deposition product is comprised of at least one oxidized species of a metal, wherein the metal is comprised of silver. The method includes first contacting the substrate with a first basic environment comprising ions of the metal in order to expose the substrate to the ions of the metal, wherein the first basic environment is comprised of a first basic solution comprising an amount of a silver diamino complex. The method further includes second contacting the substrate with a second basic environment in order to produce the composite material, wherein the second basic environment is comprised of a second basic solution containing an amount of a strong alkali compound.

Abstract: Methods for the production of deposition products including an oxidized metal species under both acidic and alkaline conditions, methods for the production of composite materials including a substrate and the deposition product, and products in the nature of deposition products and composite materials. The methods are particularly suited for depositing a very thin layer of a deposition product on a substrate and may be used to produce composite materials for use in many applications, including but not limited to electronics, materials engineering and medical applications. In a preferred embodiment, the metal is silver, the substrates are medical devices or components of medical devices and the deposition product includes an antimicrobially active oxidized silver species.

Abstract: Methods for the production of deposition products including an oxidized metal species under both acidic and alkaline conditions, methods for the production of composite materials including a substrate and the deposition product, and products in the nature of deposition products and composite materials. The methods are particularly suited for depositing a very thin layer of a deposition product on a substrate and may be used to produce composite materials for use in many applications, including but not limited to electronics, materials engineering and medical applications. In a preferred embodiment, the metal is silver, the substrates are medical devices or components of medical devices and the deposition product includes an antimicrobially active oxidized silver species.

Abstract: The invention provides bioabsorbable materials with antimicrobial coatings or powders which provide an effective and sustainable antimicrobial effect. Specifically, this invention provides bioabsorbable materials comprising a bioabsorbable substrate associated with one or more antimicrobial metals being in a crystalline form characterized by sufficient atomic disorder, such that the bioabsorbable material in contact with an alcohol or water based electrolyte, releases atoms, ion, molecules, or clusters of at least one antimicrobial metal at a concentration sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect. The one or more antimicrobial metals do not interfere with the bioabsorption of the bioabsorbable material, and do not leave behind particulates larger than 2 &mgr;m, as measured 24 hours after the bioabsorbable material has disappeared.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of zinc, particularly for the fabrication of a zinc anode that is useful in a Zn-air battery or a fuel cell. The method can be selected from electrodeposition, deposition and reduction of ZnO, physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: The invention provides bioabsorbable materials with antimicrobial coatings or powders which provide an effective and sustainable antimicrobial effect. Specifically, this invention provides bioabsorbable materials comprising a bioabsorbable substrate associated with one or more antimicrobial metals being in a crystalline form characterized by sufficient atomic disorder, such that the bioabsorbable material in contact with an alcohol or water based electrolyte, releases atoms, ion, molecules, or clusters of at least one antimicrobial metal at a concentration sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect. The one or more antimicrobial metals do not interfere with the bioabsorption of the bioabsorbable material, and do not leave behind particulates larger than 2 &mgr;m, as measured 24 hours after. The bioabsorbable material has disappeared.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of silver coated particles useful as polymer fillers is provided. Copper coated, or copper particles are dispersed in an alkaline ammoniacal solution to remove impurities and activate the surfaces thereof. A combined completing and reducing agent is added. Finally, a solution containing silver ions is used to coat the particles with a uniform layer of silver.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of metallized ceramic substrates having a metal layer ranging from ten to two hundred microns in thickness, and having enhanced adhesion strength is provided. The process involves, in combination, a novel method for conditioning the ceramic substrate and the application of a thin intermediate layer of electrolessly and optionally, electrolytically, deposited metal prior to electrolytic metal deposition of an outer metallized layer.