A fullerene-metal nanocomposite is described that comprises a metal nanoparticle bonded to a functionalized fullerene compound. A useful method of making a fullerene-metal nanocomposite is also described. The method consists essentially of the steps of mixing a solution of metal salt or metal ion with a functionalized fullerene compound, and purifying the fullerene-metal nanocomposite from the solution. Also described are antimicrobial surfaces, comprising a substrate surface and a coating on the substrate surface comprising a fullerene-metal nanocomposite that includes a metal nanoparticle bonded to a functionalized fullerene compound.

This disclosure is directed to methods of using compositions comprising protocatechuic acid (PCA) to kill virus including a Covid-19 virus. The compositions generally comprise protocatechuic acid, a liquid vehicle, and a stabilizer. In embodiments, the liquid vehicle comprises an alcohol and/or water. In preferred embodiments, the oil is an essential oil. In embodiments, the compositions may comprise principally protocatechuic acid, liquid vehicle, and stabilizer as the main ingredients. The compositions may be sprayed onto various products and articles of manufacture, and mammalian and human skin, to kill virus including a Covid-19 virus and to further protect the product or human skin for a period of time up to 24 hours or more. In preferred embodiments, an alcohol component kills virus on contact, and after drying, the residual surface PCA coating provides a continuing anti-viral function.

A material for deactivating a pathogenic aerosol includes a supporting fibrous layer and a salt crystal disposed on the supporting fibrous layer. The salt crystal is a coating layer, which partially or completely covers the supporting fibrous layer. The salt crystal includes one or more of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, ammonium, phosphate, glutamate, tartrate, and their ions, and the material has an air filtration efficiency of at least 5%.

A material for deactivating a pathogenic aerosol includes a supporting fibrous layer and a salt crystal disposed on the supporting fibrous layer. The salt crystal is a coating layer, which partially or completely covers the supporting fibrous layer. The salt crystal includes one or more of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, ammonium, phosphate, glutamate, tartrate, and their ions, and the material has an air filtration efficiency of at least 5%.

Materials and devices comprising at least one UV emitting device or material for emitting energy having a wavelength ranging from 100-400 nm, and at least one material that exhibits sterilizing properties, the material comprising a sterilizing metal compound, oxide, polymer or combinations thereof. A method of sterilizing a surface using the disclosed materials and devices are also disclosed.

Articles can be provided with odor resistance by applying a dispersion of a halogenated heterocyclic N-halamine in an inert liquid carrier onto the surface of the article and allowing the inert liquid carrier to penetrate into it. The N-halamine accordingly becomes deposited on the surface of the article after the inert liquid carrier penetrates into the article. This method can be used to provide odor resistance to a variety of substrates, including garbage bags. It can also be used to deposit other functional particulates onto the surface of substrates having sufficient porosity to take up the vehicle. For instance, such functional particles can be oxidants that display antimicrobial and/or enzyme inhibitory efficacy or particles having toxin interaction potentials through oxidative degradation or adsorption of toxic substances in air and/or water, such as fluoride uptake by metal oxide microparticles.

Provided are methods for disrupting biofilms and/or preventing the formation of biofilms. Further provided are random-sequence peptide mixtures for use in disrupting bacterial biofilms. The random-sequence peptides include hydrophobic and/or cationic amino acids, and the ratio of the total hydrophobic and cationic amino acids in the mixture is predefined.

Provided are methods for disrupting biofilms and/or preventing the formation of biofilms. Further provided are random-sequence peptide mixtures for use in disrupting bacterial biofilms. The random-sequence peptides include hydrophobic and/or cationic amino acids, and the ratio of the total hydrophobic and cationic amino acids in the mixture is predefined.

An incentive spirometer medical device having a mouth piece protected by an enclosure when not in use and being able to be operated by one hand to open to access the mouth piece.

An incentive spirometer medical device having a mouth piece protected by an enclosure when not in use and being able to be operated by one hand to open to access the mouth piece.