The present invention relates to materials having antimicrobial properties, said materials comprising a polymer having incorporated therein a synergistic combination of at least two metal oxide powders, comprising a mixed oxidation state oxide of a first metal and a single oxidation state oxide of a second metal, the powders being incorporated substantially uniformly within said polymer, wherein the powders have substantially different specific gravities and substantially similar bulk densities and wherein the ions of the metal powders are in ionic contact upon exposure of said material to moisture. There are further provided methods for the preparation of said materials and uses thereof, including in combating or inhibiting the activity of microbes or microorganisms.

The present invention relates to materials having antimicrobial properties, said materials comprising a polymer having incorporated therein a synergistic combination of at least two metal oxide powders, comprising a mixed oxidation state oxide of a first metal and a single oxidation state oxide of a second metal, the powders being incorporated substantially uniformly within said polymer, wherein the powders have substantially different specific gravities and substantially similar bulk densities and wherein the ions of the metal powders are in ionic contact upon exposure of said material to moisture. There are further provided methods for the preparation of said materials and uses thereof, including in combating or inhibiting the activity of microbes or microorganisms.

Provided are materials having antimicrobial properties. The materials include a polymer having incorporated therein a synergistic combination of at least two metal oxide powders, including a mixed oxidation state oxide of a first metal and a single oxidation state oxide of a second metal. The powders may be incorporated substantially uniformly within the polymer. Further, the powders may have substantially different specific gravities and substantially similar bulk densities. In addition, the ions of the metal powders may be in ionic contact upon exposure of the material to moisture. Also provided are methods for the preparation of the materials and uses thereof, including in combating or inhibiting the activity of microbes or microorganisms.

Provided are materials having antimicrobial properties. The materials include a polymer having incorporated therein a synergistic combination of at least two metal oxide powders, including a mixed oxidation state oxide of a first metal and a single oxidation state oxide of a second metal. The powders may be incorporated substantially uniformly within the polymer. Further, the powders may have substantially different specific gravities and substantially similar bulk densities. In addition, the ions of the metal powders may be in ionic contact upon exposure of the material to moisture. Also provided are methods for the preparation of the materials and uses thereof, including in combating or inhibiting the activity of microbes or microorganisms.

Disclosed are nanostructured materials that reflect light in selected spectra incorporated in dark colored textiles or substrates. In one aspect, a light reflecting material includes a textile exhibiting a dark color and formed of a plurality of fibers, and nanostructures arranged on the fibers and formed of a plurality of nanoparticles, the nanostructures having a dimension size of substantially less than of a visible light wavelength, in which the nanostructures reflect light from the textile or substrate in at least one of infrared, near-infrared, or red visible light spectra.

Disclosed are nanostructured materials that reflect light in selected spectra incorporated in dark colored textiles or substrates. In one aspect, a light reflecting material includes a textile exhibiting a dark color and formed of a plurality of fibers, and nanostructures arranged on the fibers and formed of a plurality of nanoparticles, the nanostructures having a dimension size of substantially less than of a visible light wavelength, in which the nanostructures reflect light from the textile or substrate in at least one of infrared, near-infrared, or red visible light spectra.

A face mask includes a non-woven fabric filter configured to be worn on a user's face. A composition with anti-viral properties is arranged on the fabric. The composition preferably includes anti-viral oils and an anti-viral metal such as copper or copper oxide.

A dispersion solution including a solvent which contains fine particles of a copper compound, a stabilizer, a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester of the fatty acid, and a polycarboxylic acid. The fine particles of the copper compound having antiviral property are homogeneously dispersed in the dispersion medium maintaining stability over extended periods of time.

The invention relates to a method for producing an antimicrobial fabric or yarn, said method comprising the steps of immersing a fabric or yarn in an aqueous solution of a metal salt while simultaneously subjecting said solution to ultrasonic radiation; and removing the fabric or yarn from said solution and subsequently converting the metal salt in situ in the fabric or yarn into metal oxide nanoparticles, preferably via chemical and heat treatment. Fabrics and yarns obtained or obtainable by such method are also provided. In a further aspect the invention provides an apparatus for performing such method.

The invention relates to a method for producing an antimicrobial fabric or yarn, said method comprising the steps of immersing a fabric or yarn in an aqueous solution of a metal salt while simultaneously subjecting said solution to ultrasonic radiation; and removing the fabric or yarn from said solution and subsequently converting the metal salt in situ in the fabric or yarn into metal oxide nanoparticles, preferably via chemical and heat treatment. Fabrics and yarns obtained or obtainable by such method are also provided. In a further aspect the invention provides an apparatus for performing such method.