Abstract: There is provided a composite comprising an inorganic metal or alloy core at least partially covered by a protection layer comprising a carboxylate salt, a metal oxide, a metal oxide salt or a metal-amino acid complex. There is also provided a method of preparing the composite comprising an inorganic metal or alloy core at least partially covered by a protection layer comprising a carboxylate salt, a metal oxide, a metal oxide salt or a metal-amino acid complex, comprising the step of mixing a metal or alloy with an acid, at elevated temperature for a time duration, optionally in the presence of a solvent. There is also provided use of a composite as an antimicrobial agent, and uses of a composite in the treatment or prophylaxis of microbial infection.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the technical field of bridge construction, in particular to a method for installing steel tube arches, which comprises the following steps: step S1, erecting steel tube arch assembling brackets; step S2, assembling a steel tube arch of longitudinally moving segment; step S3, installing temporary tie rods; step S4, dismantling the assembling brackets; step S5, longitudinally moving the steel tube arch of longitudinally moving segment; step S6, erecting an arch springing bracket and assembling small mileage arch springing segments; step S7, closing the steel tube arch; S8, arch falling and temporary auxiliary facilities dismantling; step S9, construction of concrete and suspenders in arch. The method for installing steel tube arches provided by the disclosure is safe, standardized and reliable, and the construction standard is prone to control.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising an oligomer of Formula (I): having imidazolium and diammonium substituents; and an anti-fungal compound comprising at least one triazole group. The composition as described herein may be used as an anti-fungal composition for therapeutic and non-therapeutic applications.

Abstract: There is provided a core-shell composite comprising a core which comprises zinc metal and a shell that at least partially encapsulates the core, wherein the shell comprises a salt of the zinc metal as a cation with a sulphur-containing anion. There is also provided a method of forming a core-shell composite comprising the step of heating a mixture of zinc metal particle with elemental sulphur to form the core-shell composite, wherein the zinc metal particle forms the core of the core-shell composite, and wherein the shell of the said core-shell composite at least partially encapsulates the core and comprises a salt of the zinc metal as a cation with a sulphur-containing anion. There is also provided a method of killing or inhibiting the growth of a microbe, comprising the step of subjecting the microbe to the as-disclosed core-shell composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antimicrobial coating on a surface, a method for preparing and uses of the same. In particular it relates to a process for preparing an antimicrobial coating on a surface, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a surface; b) coating a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide on the surface in the presence of a solvent in a hydrothermal synthesis step to form a coated surface having a plurality of nanostructures; c) optionally drying the coated surface, wherein said nanostructure is preferably in nanopillar structure. The coating of the present application exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against different types of microorganism, such as bacteria and yeast. The nanostructures are able to exert stress to the microorganism, and therefore controlling or killing them.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the technical field of bridge construction, in particular to a method for installing steel tube arches, which comprises the following steps: step S1, erecting steel tube arch assembling brackets; step S2, assembling a steel tube arch of longitudinally moving segment; step S3, installing temporary tie rods; step S4, dismantling the assembling brackets; step S5, longitudinally moving the steel tube arch of longitudinally moving segment; step S6, erecting an arch springing bracket and assembling small mileage arch springing segments; step S7, closing the steel tube arch; S8, arch falling and temporary auxiliary facilities dismantling; step S9, construction of concrete and suspenders in arch. The method for installing steel tube arches provided by the disclosure is safe, standardized and reliable, and the construction standard is prone to control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligomer of formula (I) where the various groups are as defined in the specification. The present invention also relates to an oligomer or a polymer of formula (II) where the various groups are as defined in the specification. The present invention also relates to the methods for their preparation, antimicrobial composition, antimicrobial gel containing these oligomers and/or polymers of Formula (I) and (II), and uses of these oligomers and/or polymers in the treatment of a microbial infection or disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligomer of formula (I) where the various groups are as defined in the specification. The present invention also relates to an oligomer or a polymer of formula (II) where the various groups are as defined in the specification. The present invention also relates to the methods for their preparation, antimicrobial composition, antimicrobial gel containing these oligomers and/or polymers of Formula (I) and (II), and uses of these oligomers and/or polymers in the treatment of a microbial infection or disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial imidazolium compounds having the structure of Formula (I) wherein R is an optionally substituted aliphatic group that is linear, cyclic, saturated, unsaturated or any combination thereof; n is an integer of at least 1; and X is an anionic counterion. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, a gel comprising the compound, uses of the compound as an antibiotic and methods for the preparation of the gels.

Abstract: A coating comprising a metal-organic framework, wherein the metal-organic framework having a zeolitic structure comprising at least one multivalent metal species and at least one organic ligand (such as zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)). Said coating has a topography comprising an array of projections, and each projection having at least one tapered distal end. There is also provided a method of coating substrates with the disclosed coating and use of said coating as a disinfectant, an antiseptic, or an antibiotic. Such use is possible because the tapered distal end of the disclosed zeolitic structure exerting higher pressure on any microbial cell that comes into contact with the disclosed coating, thereby piercing through the cell membrane more easily, causing cell deformation and lysis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antimicrobial coating on a surface, a method for preparing and uses of the same. In particular it relates to a process for preparing an antimicrobial coating on a surface, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a surface; b) coating a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide on the surface in the presence of a solvent in a hydrothermal synthesis step to form a coated surface having a plurality of nanostructures; c) optionally drying the coated surface, wherein said nanostructure is preferably in nanopillar structure. The coating of the present application exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against different types of microorganism, such as bacteria and yeast. The nanostructures are able to exert stress to the microorganism, and therefore controlling or killing them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a metal oxide/metal composite, comprising depositing a metal oxide from a dispersion in a liquid on a metal surface; or depositing a metal oxide in the presence of a metal from a dispersion in a liquid on a substrate; or depositing a metal oxide from a metal salt solution on a metal substrate. The metal oxide/metal composites obtained by the process show synergistic antimicrobial activity due to release of high concentrations of redox active species (ROS) at the metal oxide/metal heterojunction. The invention also relates to use of the metal oxide/metal composite as an antimicrobial coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate comprising a plurality of integrally formed surface features, said surface features being micro-sized and/or nano-sized, said surface features comprising at least one pointed terminus. As a result of this unique surface, said substrate exhibits a biocidal activity because the terminal ends of said surface feature pierce through cell membrane of any microbial cell that comes into contact with the substrate, thereby causing cell deformation and lysis. The present invention also relates to a method producing said substrate. By a simple treatment of copper or zinc foil with a reagent solution comprising an alkali and an oxidizing agent, Cu(OH)2 nanotube arrays, CuO nano-blades and ZnO nano-needles are prepared. These surfaces are proven to be very effective in killing bacterial (such as E. coli) via a physical interaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial imidazolium compounds having the structure of Formula (I) wherein R is an optionally substituted aliphatic group that is linear, cyclic, saturated, unsaturated or any combination thereof; n is an integer of at least 1; and X is an anionic counterion. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, a gel comprising the compound, uses of the compound as an antibiotic and methods for the preparation of the gels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing an optionally substituted furoic acid by dehydrating a biomass and oxidizing the optionally substituted furan derived from the dehydration reaction. Water extraction has been incorporated as a step between the dehydration and the oxidation in order to purify the intermediate optionally substituted furan before having it oxidized. Prior to this water extraction, the organic solvent used for dehydration may be separated by evaporation. The provision of the water extraction allows impurities to be separated from the intermediate optionally substituted furan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial imidazolium compounds having the structure of Formula (I) wherein R is an optionally substituted aliphatic group that is linear, cyclic, saturated, unsaturated or any combination thereof; n is an integer of at least 1; and X is an anionic counterion. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, a gel comprising the compound, uses of the compound as an antibiotic and methods for the preparation of the gels.

Abstract: A coating comprising a metal-organic framework, wherein the metal-organic framework having a zeolitic structure comprising at least one multivalent metal species and at least one organic ligand (such as zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)). Said coating has a topography comprising an array of projections, and each projection having at least one tapered distal end. There is also provided a method of coating substrates with the disclosed coating and use of said coating as a disinfectant, an antiseptic, or an antibiotic. Such use is possible because the tapered distal end of the disclosed zeolitic structure exerting higher pressure on any microbial cell that comes into contact with the disclosed coating, thereby piercing through the cell membrane more easily, causing cell deformation and lysis.

Abstract: There is provided a method for synthesizing an alkenoic acid, in particular acrylic acid comprising the step of oxidizing an alkenyl alcohol in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst to form the alkenoic acid. The invention further provides a step of deoxydehydrating a polyol, including glycerol to obtain said alkenyl alcohol including an allyl alcohol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polymer material comprising mesopores extending between melamine-formaldehyde co-polymer nano-particles and wherein micropores extend within the co-polymer nano-particles, methods of producing the same and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a process for making a hyperporous material for capture and conversion of carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps a first self-polymerisation of benzyl halides via Friedel-Crafts reaction. In the second step the obtained hypercrosslinked polymer is further coupled with an amine or heterocyclic compound having at least one nitrogen ring atom. The invention also relates to the material obtained to the process and its use in catalytic reactions, for instance the conversion of epoxides to carbonates. Salt-modified porous hypercrosslinked polymers obtained according to the invention show a high BET surface (BET surface area up to 926 m2/g) combined with strong CO2 capture capacities (14.5 wt %). The nitrogen compound functionalized hypercrosslinked polymer catalyst shows improved conversion rates compared to known functionalized polystyrene materials and an excellent recyclability.