Research Opportunities

Download PDF of this technology opportunity <pdf>

This antimicrobial technology has a variety of significant applications. These include the following. (i) Generation of materials that can self-decontaminate their exteriors by killing bacteria and fungi immediately upon exposure (e.g., the prevention of the hazards of biological warfare), (ii) Prevention of developing bacterial and fungal infections from the environment, (e.g., athlete's foot), and (iii) Providing materials that can prevent infections of wounds occurring in the field.

Advantages and Features
These characteristics can be obtained by treatment of fabrics or covering materials, including construction wood, using one of two patented methods for the permanent association of cationic lipid species with surfaces. The chemistry involves covalent binding of a cationic lipid agent to the material and melting it into the surface of the material or painting it onto the surface of the object or material. This application renders the surface permanently antimicrobial. Effort in treating physicians' hospital coats have resulted in a decrease in nocosomal infections in the areas where they were used and continued antibacterial activity of the coats themselves.

Applications

• The construction of coverings and containers (e.g., tents, equipment coverings, etc.) that prevent mildew/rot and are resistant to biological attack
• Allow personnel to enter contaminated areas without the burden of classical protective clothing and work normally, without concern about decontamination when leaving the contaminated areas, as well as allowing them to handle such biologically hazardous material without other special concern
• Provide construction materials not subject to rot even under conditions most favorable for fungal growth
• Provide working environments in which transmission of microbial infection is obviated - they do not require decontamination after exposure to a biological agent, but rather surfaces are self-decontaminating - e.g., medical treatment facilities in which the environment (walls, floors, ceilings, and equipment surfaces) are permanently antimicrobial
• Generation of air and water filters that are permanently antimicrobial, thus removing concern for contamination of air and water in normally hazardous environments

Current Project Status
Currently, there is in development, systems that will destroy viruses on contact in a manner similar to that for bacteria and fungi. The system has been devised to work with a series of viruses and now is in development to make it general.