In one embodiment, systems and methods for reducing infections from a pathogen by influencing transport of the pathogen. A material is positioned in a location where a pathogen may be transmitted from a person and through a volume of air about the person. The material is provided with a net electric charge sufficient to create a measurable electric field extending from the material. To the extent the pathogen becomes positioned along a portion of the material, a treatment is applied about the material portion to disable the infectious nature of the pathogen.

An air treatment device having a flexible air hose, duct or gooseneck member. The air hose, duct or gooseneck member permits an inlet end thereof to be positioned in proximity to a patient so that a negative pressure can be created around the patient so that air can sucked or vacuumed into the system whereupon it is treated as the air flows through the system.

An air purification device for use in an air management system includes a housing formed from a polymer matrix composite structure and a filter arranged within the housing. The filter is formed from a porous composite structure including a plurality of filter fibers such that air is configured to flow through the filter. Microbes within the air are configured to contact the plurality of filter fibers.

An air purification device for use in an air management system includes a housing formed from a polymer matrix composite structure and a filter arranged within the housing. The filter is formed from a porous composite structure including a plurality of filter fibers such that air is configured to flow through the filter. Microbes within the air are configured to contact the plurality of filter fibers.

An antimicrobial preventive netting is disclosed that includes one or more photosensitizers that are capable of generating a cloud of singlet oxygen on each surface and openings through the netting in response to incident light. A depth of the singlet oxygen cloud may be less than 0.7 centimeters from a netting surface. The netting may be supported by screens, enclosures or headgear. The netting can be made by dipping or soaking the netting in a solution of one or more photosensitizers.

An antimicrobial preventive netting is disclosed that includes one or more photosensitizers that are capable of generating a cloud of singlet oxygen on each surface and openings through the netting in response to incident light. A depth of the singlet oxygen cloud may be less than 0.7 centimeters from a netting surface. The netting may be supported by screens, enclosures or headgear. The netting can be made by dipping or soaking the netting in a solution of one or more photosensitizers.

A system and method according to various embodiments combines three separate technologies to form a unique lighting system with enhanced antimicrobial properties and air cleaning capabilities. The combination of the three technologies also produces a lighting system that extends the required maintenance period for lighting fixtures. The first technology is based on anatase type TiO.sub.2. The second and third technologies are based on the use of micro-sized surface structures to generate light scattering effects and, at the same time, reduce bacterial colonization and inhibit bacterial migration even during the absence of light or in dark environments.

A system and method according to various embodiments combines three separate technologies to form a unique lighting system with enhanced antimicrobial properties and air cleaning capabilities. The combination of the three technologies also produces a lighting system that extends the required maintenance period for lighting fixtures. The first technology is based on anatase type TiO.sub.2. The second and third technologies are based on the use of micro-sized surface structures to generate light scattering effects and, at the same time, reduce bacterial colonization and inhibit bacterial migration even during the absence of light or in dark environments.

Disclosed is a method for producing a photocatalyst for air cleaning. The present production method comprises the steps of: preparing titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2); attaching platinum to a surface of the titanium dioxide; and attaching fluoro to the platinum-attached surface of the titanium dioxide to obtain surface-modified titanium dioxide.

A system includes one or more radio frequency (RF) emitters configured to transmit RF energy into a specified area in order to inactivate one or more specified microorganisms in the specified area. The system also includes a control system configured to control the one or more RF emitters in order to adjust the RF energy transmitted by the one or more RF emitters. The control system is configured to obtain information identifying different types of microorganisms that are or might be present in the specified area over time and to adjust the RF energy transmitted by the one or more RF emitters in order to target the different types of microorganisms for inactivation over time.