A biopolymer composition can be formed based, at least in part, on a recombinantly expressed protein, expressed from a DNA coding sequence of a source protein, and the recombinantly expressed protein can optionally comprise one or more tags that enhance the crosslinking capacity of the protein. It was determined that such biopolymer composition can be suitable for use to obtain, for example, a biodegradable textile that exhibits a functional characteristic associated with the recombinantly expressed protein.

A biopolymer composition can be formed based, at least in part, on a recombinantly expressed protein, expressed from a DNA coding sequence of a source protein, and the recombinantly expressed protein can optionally comprise one or more tags that enhance the crosslinking capacity of the protein. It was determined that such biopolymer composition can be suitable for use to obtain, for example, a biodegradable textile that exhibits a functional characteristic associated with the recombinantly expressed protein.

An anti-microbial metal coating may be applied to filter membranes for use in actively depressing microbial viability in filtration applications. The anti-microbial metal coating may be applied to substrates that are considered to be sensitive to damage by conventional metal coating techniques or resistant to metal bonding. The coating may be applied from a salt absorbed to the substrate in solution, converted to a reducible form with a conversion agent, and reduced to active metal format through a low temperature plasma treatment.

An anti-microbial metal coating may be applied to filter membranes for use in actively depressing microbial viability in filtration applications. The anti-microbial metal coating may be applied to substrates that are considered to be sensitive to damage by conventional metal coating techniques or resistant to metal bonding. The coating may be applied from a salt absorbed to the substrate in solution, converted to a reducible form with a conversion agent, and reduced to active metal format through a low temperature plasma treatment.

A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens includes a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract. At least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is a sulfated cellulose membrane. When the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur: when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is individuated by the filter material.

A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens includes a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract. At least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is a sulfated cellulose membrane. When the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur: when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is individuated by the filter material.

A haemostatic composition comprising a non-acidic meshed network of fibrous material, wherein the network comprises fibres with a mean diameter (Dso) no greater than 1 μm, an aspect ratio (mean fibre length/mean fibre diameter) of at least 100, and wherein said meshed network has a specific surface area of at least 1O m.sup.2/g, and a gel point no greater than 3 g/L.

A haemostatic composition comprising a non-acidic meshed network of fibrous material, wherein the network comprises fibres with a mean diameter (Dso) no greater than 1 μm, an aspect ratio (mean fibre length/mean fibre diameter) of at least 100, and wherein said meshed network has a specific surface area of at least 1O m.sup.2/g, and a gel point no greater than 3 g/L.

A binder for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode that includes a crosslinked polymer having a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, wherein the crosslinked polymer includes 50% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less structural unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer relative to all structural units, wherein a total amount of the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof in terms of a non-neutralized form which is converted from the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof relative to a total amount of the crosslinked polymer and a salt thereof is 5.0% by mass or less.

A binder for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode that includes a crosslinked polymer having a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, wherein the crosslinked polymer includes 50% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less structural unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer relative to all structural units, wherein a total amount of the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof in terms of a non-neutralized form which is converted from the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof relative to a total amount of the crosslinked polymer and a salt thereof is 5.0% by mass or less.