Abstract: A vehicle panel includes two sidewalls and a resonator disposed between them on one of the cell walls. The resonator includes a network of cells, each cell defines an internal space to absorb and dissipate noise and vibrations within a specific frequency range. Certain cells or subsets of cells may be interconnected to define a larger internal cell space. An airgap between the resonator and one of the sidewalls may be partially or completely filled with dampening material to absorb high frequency noise. The dampening material may also provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for quantifying the cleanability of a surface of an article, for instance an aircraft interior component. In embodiments, a solution containing an artificial “dirt” is introduced to a surface under test to simulate a sullied condition. The sullied surface is subjected to at least one cleaning process. Obtained reference and post-cleaning light measurements are compared to determine a measurement difference corresponding to a cleanability of the surface and/or effectiveness of the at least one cleaning process. In embodiments, the measurement difference is assigned a cleanability score for at least one of determining a passing or failing cleanability, modifying the cleaning process, indicating the need for a second or subsequent cleaning, modifying the barrier coating formulation, redesigning the article, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed are pigmented multifunctional barrier coating compositions for application to components such as aircraft interior components. In embodiments, compositions include a base coating component in an amount from 5 to 40 weight percent of the composition, a solvent in an amount from 50 to 70 weight percent of the composition, and at least two performance components from an FST-resistive component in an amount from 0.1 to 5 weight percent of the composition, a UV-resistive component in an amount from 0.1 to 2 weight percent of the composition, an antimicrobial component in an amount from 0.1 to 5 weight percent of the composition, and a dye component in an amount less than 0.5 weight percent of the composition. The composition further includes pigment in an amount up to 10 weight percent of the composition for imparting a cosmetic appearance to the component such as a metallic appearance.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting an antimicrobial surface coating on a substrate including the steps of applying an anionic agent to a surface of the substrate, allowing the anionic agent to bond to antimicrobial surface coating present on the substrate, removing unbonded anionic agent, subjecting the surface of the substrate to a predetermined process to effect a change in the bonded anionic agent, observing the change, and verifying, based on the observed change, the presence of antimicrobial surface coating on the substrate. Further disclosed are antimicrobial surface coating solutions, methods for their application, and methods for reactivated antimicrobial surface coatings.

Abstract: A method includes depositing an antimicrobial material onto a surface of a substrate. The method includes binding a photochromic material to the antimicrobial material. Depositing the antimicrobial material and binding the photochromic material can include forming a mixture of the antimicrobial material and the photochromic material and depositing the mixture onto the surface of the substrate. It is also contemplated that depositing the antimicrobial material and binding the photochromic material can include first depositing the antimicrobial material onto the surface of the substrate and then depositing the photochromic material onto the antimicrobial material.

Abstract: In-aircraft seats include plastic components having anti-microbial, metallic reinforcing fibers such as copper or silver. Copper or silver wires are embedded into the plastic at the time or molding to provide both structural reinforcement and anti-microbial properties. At the time of molding, copper or silver wires are disposed in a plastic mold prior to plastic application to ensure the metallic wires are generally disposed toward the surface of the molded part.

Abstract: A method may comprise measuring, by a conductivity or resistance measuring device, the conductivity or resistance of a surface of a substrate; comparing, by the conductivity or resistance measuring device, the measured conductivity or resistance to a reference value; and/or determining, by the conductivity or resistance measuring device, a presence or an absence of an antimicrobial system on the surface. The antimicrobial system may comprise a first coating, wherein the first coating may comprise an antimicrobial compound, wherein the antimicrobial compound may comprise a first end and a second end opposite the first end with a hydrocarbon chain therebetween, wherein the antimicrobial compound may comprise a cationic functional group on the first end and a silane group on the second end.

Abstract: A vehicle panel includes two sidewalls and a resonator disposed between them on one of the cell walls. The resonator includes a network of cells, each cell defines an internal space to absorb and dissipate noise and vibrations within a specific frequency range. Certain cells or subsets of cells may be interconnected to define a larger internal cell space. An airgap between the resonator and one of the sidewalls may be partially or completely filled with dampening material to absorb high frequency noise. The dampening material may also provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: A method may comprise measuring, by a conductivity or resistance measuring device, the conductivity or resistance of a surface of a substrate; comparing, by the conductivity or resistance measuring device, the measured conductivity or resistance to a reference value; and/or determining, by the conductivity or resistance measuring device, a presence or an absence of an antimicrobial system on the surface. The antimicrobial system may comprise a first coating, wherein the first coating may comprise an antimicrobial compound, wherein the antimicrobial compound may comprise a first end and a second end opposite the first end with a hydrocarbon chain therebetween, wherein the antimicrobial compound may comprise a cationic functional group on the first end and a silane group on the second end.

Abstract: Disclosed are pigmented multifunctional barrier coating compositions for application to components such as aircraft interior components. In embodiments, compositions include a base coating component in an amount from 5 to 40 weight percent of the composition, a solvent in an amount from 50 to 70 weight percent of the composition, and at least two performance components from an FST-resistive component in an amount from 0.1 to 5 weight percent of the composition, a UV-resistive component in an amount from 0.1 to 2 weight percent of the composition, an antimicrobial component in an amount from 0.1 to 5 weight percent of the composition, and a dye component in an amount less than 0.5 weight percent of the composition. The composition further includes pigment in an amount up to 10 weight percent of the composition for imparting a cosmetic appearance to the component such as a metallic appearance.

Abstract: A method for quantifying an exposure dose for a surface is disclosed. The method may include emitting one or more beams of 222 nm light onto a portion of the surface using one or more far ultraviolet (UV) light sources capable of emitting 222 nm light, the portion of the surface being coated with one or more fluorescent coatings. The method may include capturing images of the portion of the surface. The method may include adjusting one or more image characteristics for the captured images using one or more filtering methods. The method may include generating a histogram of the adjusted images based on the one or more filtering methods. The method may include determining a pixel surface area for the generated histogram. The method may include calculating the exposure dose for the surface based on the generated pixel surface area and a predetermined calibration curve.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for quantifying the cleanability of a surface of an article, for instance an aircraft interior component. In embodiments, a solution containing an artificial “dirt” is introduced to a surface under test to simulate a sullied condition. The sullied surface is subjected to at least one cleaning process. Obtained reference and post-cleaning light measurements are compared to determine a measurement difference corresponding to a cleanability of the surface and/or effectiveness of the at least one cleaning process. In embodiments, the measurement difference is assigned a cleanability score for at least one of determining a passing or failing cleanability, modifying the cleaning process, indicating the need for a second or subsequent cleaning, modifying the barrier coating formulation, redesigning the article, etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a barrier coating on a surface of a substrate. The method includes applying a barrier coating forming solution to the substrate, allowing the applied barrier coating forming solution to partially cure, applying an antimicrobial coating forming solution atop the partially cured barrier coating forming solution, and allowing the two applied coatings to fully cure or dry to produce a multifunctional surface coating. The barrier coating forming solution includes at least one performance component other an antimicrobial component, and the antimicrobial coating forming solution includes an antimicrobial component. A formed multifunctional surface coating produced according to the method positions the antimicrobial component at a concentrated amount at or near the surface of the formed multifunctional coating.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a barrier coating including the steps of providing a barrier coating forming solution, applying a single coat of the barrier coating forming solution to a surface of a substrate, allowing the applied barrier coating forming solution to cure or dry to form a barrier coating, and subjecting a top surface of the formed barrier coating to a nanotexturing process to form a predetermined pattern of spaced upstanding features in the top surface of the formed barrier coating to increase hydrophobicity of the coating. A nanotextured barrier coating including a substrate having a predetermined pattern of spaced upstanding features formed in a top surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a base coating component and at least one performance component, and wherein the barrier coating is applied as a single layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are multifunctional barrier coating forming solutions for surface coating substrates, for instance interior surfaces in aircraft. In embodiments, the solutions include a base coating component in an amount from 5 to 40% by weight of the solution, a solvent in an amount from 50 to 70% by weight of the solution, an FST resistive component in an amount from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the solution, a UV resistive component in an amount from 0.1 to 2% by weight of the solution, an antimicrobial component in an amount from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the solution, and optionally a dye component in an amount less than 0.5% by weight of the solution. Also disclosed are methods for surface coating a substrate with a multifunctional barrier coating forming solution and detecting the same post application to determine a need for barrier coating reapplication.

Abstract: A method for quantifying an exposure dose for a surface is disclosed. The method may include emitting one or more beams of 222 nm light onto a portion of the surface using one or more far ultraviolet (UV) light sources capable of emitting 222 nm light, the portion of the surface being coated with one or more fluorescent coatings. The method may include capturing images of the portion of the surface. The method may include adjusting one or more image characteristics for the captured images using one or more filtering methods. The method may include generating a histogram of the adjusted images based on the one or more filtering methods. The method may include determining a pixel surface area for the generated histogram. The method may include calculating the exposure dose for the surface based on the generated pixel surface area and a predetermined calibration curve.

Abstract: A method of verifying sanitization of an area may comprise: emitting, via a sanitization system, a UV-C light towards a desired surface to be sanitized, the UV-C light including a first wavelength between 200 nm and 280 nm; and determining the desired surface is being sanitized by verifying whether the desired surface absorbs the UV-C light and re-emits a visible light.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a presence or absence of an antimicrobial surface coating including applying at least one detectable fluorophoric dye compound to a substrate, irradiating the surface of the substrate with ultraviolet radiation in the 100-415 nm wavelength range to excite the detectable fluorophoric dye compound, observing fluorescence of the excited fluorophoric dye compound, and determining the presence or absence of the antimicrobial surface coating based on the observed fluorescence. Further disclosed are antimicrobial surface coating solutions, methods for their application, and methods for confirming the presence and coverage of antimicrobial surface coatings.

Abstract: A method may comprise measuring at least one of the conductivity or resistance on a surface of a substrate comprising an antimicrobial system; comparing the measured conductivity or resistance to a reference value; and/or determining a presence or an absence of the antimicrobial system on the surface.

Abstract: A method includes depositing an antimicrobial material onto a surface of a substrate. The method includes binding a photochromic material to the antimicrobial material. Depositing the antimicrobial material and binding the photochromic material can include forming a mixture of the antimicrobial material and the photochromic material and depositing the mixture onto the surface of the substrate. It is also contemplated that depositing the antimicrobial material and binding the photochromic material can include first depositing the antimicrobial material onto the surface of the substrate and then depositing the photochromic material onto the antimicrobial material.