The present invention provides compounds that can be used to form antimicrobial coatings on, for example, a surface or textile, including methods of making and using such compounds. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of making such compounds by a single-step reaction. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of forming an antimicrobial coating on a surface, including applying such compounds to, for example, a surface or textile, and, optionally, treating, for example, the surface or textile, to form a coating.

An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface and a transparent photocatalyst coating secured on the surface of the substrate, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The substrate is preferably selected from an appliance handle, doorknob, switch, keyboard, countertop, appliance handle, equipment button, touchscreen, handrail, light emitting device, and light cover. Such substrates are frequently touched by one or more users and may become contaminated. However, the transparent photocatalyst coating may be self-decontaminating.

An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface and a transparent photocatalyst coating secured on the surface of the substrate, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The substrate is preferably selected from an appliance handle, doorknob, switch, keyboard, countertop, appliance handle, equipment button, touchscreen, handrail, light emitting device, and light cover. Such substrates are frequently touched by one or more users and may become contaminated. However, the transparent photocatalyst coating may be self-decontaminating.

The present invention is directed to chitosan-derivative compounds and structures, methods of making chitosan-derivative compounds and methods for controlling, inhibiting and enhancing microbial populations in a variety of environments. The present invention is also directed to the control, inhibition and enhancement of microbial populations in animals, particularly humans. The microbial populations include bacteria, viruses and other pathogens where control of microbial populations are a necessity. The chitosan-derivative compounds of the present invention include chitosan-arginine compounds, related chitosan-L/D unnatural amino acid compounds, chitosan-acid amine compounds, chitosan-L/D natural amino acid derivative compounds, co-derivatives of the chitosan-derivative compounds, salts of the chitosan derivative compounds, and chitosan-guanidine compounds.

The present invention is directed to chitosan-derivative compounds and structures, methods of making chitosan-derivative compounds and methods for controlling, inhibiting and enhancing microbial populations in a variety of environments. The present invention is also directed to the control, inhibition and enhancement of microbial populations in animals, particularly humans. The microbial populations include bacteria, viruses and other pathogens where control of microbial populations are a necessity. The chitosan-derivative compounds of the present invention include chitosan-arginine compounds, related chitosan-L/D unnatural amino acid compounds, chitosan-acid amine compounds, chitosan-L/D natural amino acid derivative compounds, co-derivatives of the chitosan-derivative compounds, salts of the chitosan derivative compounds, and chitosan-guanidine compounds.

Disclosed is method for plating a PVD (physical vapor deposition) germ killing film, employing a vacuum magnetron sputtering technology and using a nano-silver-containing target for uniformly distributing nano-silver to form a germ killing film. The method can achieve the aim of full germ killing. Besides, nano-silver is enveloped in the sputtering target to form the film, so the target material target can play the role of protecting the nano-silver. Target material can be Al, Cr, stainless steel and Cu. Therefore, the nano-silver is protected; wear resistance of the germ killing film is increased; and the germ killing film can continuously kills germs for a long time.

When using a Prep Pad that contains a solution soaked with alcohol, adhesive or patch remover, or any other kind of antibacterial agent, the act of operating it while trivial for one time use can quickly become inefficient, mundane and time consuming. The invention packs multiple, but single use encapsulated Pellets inside a cylindrical refill apparatus. The Pellet is made of soft material and it may be soaked or un-soaked. The refill apparatus is then inserted into a cylindrical pen like structure that automatically peels the Pellet when operated. The result is that in a few pen like clicks, an operator, using a single hand, can quickly get ready to cleanse or apply a Pellet onto a surface. An operator can easily store capacity for multiple applications in a pen pocket. The single hand use, quickness to readiness and compact easy storage makes the invention ideal alternative to a Prep Pad like use.

When using a Prep Pad that contains a solution soaked with alcohol, adhesive or patch remover, or any other kind of antibacterial agent, the act of operating it while trivial for one time use can quickly become inefficient, mundane and time consuming. The invention packs multiple, but single use encapsulated Pellets inside a cylindrical refill apparatus. The Pellet is made of soft material and it may be soaked or un-soaked. The refill apparatus is then inserted into a cylindrical pen like structure that automatically peels the Pellet when operated. The result is that in a few pen like clicks, an operator, using a single hand, can quickly get ready to cleanse or apply a Pellet onto a surface. An operator can easily store capacity for multiple applications in a pen pocket. The single hand use, quickness to readiness and compact easy storage makes the invention ideal alternative to a Prep Pad like use.

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.