Articles and methods for treating textiles and other materials with an antimicrobial compound during laundry and/or drying cycles. The articles include a porous substrate and a core composition that is releasably associated with the substrate and that includes a metal ion having antimicrobial activity. Methods include the use of the articles in laundry and/or drying cycles to provide antimicrobial treatment of the textiles and materials.

The present invention describes a method of killing or inactivating microorganisms, the method comprising the steps of contacting the microorganisms with a composition comprising an extract of Polygonum cuspidatum and an excipient; and irradiating the microorganisms with a source of light; wherein the radiant exposure of the light is between 1 and 300 J cm.sup.−2, and the surface power density of the light is between 0.001 and 0.25 W cm.sup.−2.

The present invention describes a method of killing or inactivating microorganisms, the method comprising the steps of contacting the microorganisms with a composition comprising an extract of Polygonum cuspidatum and an excipient; and irradiating the microorganisms with a source of light; wherein the radiant exposure of the light is between 1 and 300 J cm.sup.−2, and the surface power density of the light is between 0.001 and 0.25 W cm.sup.−2.

Disclosed herein are rapid and residual disinfectant compositions that include a metal-associated cerium oxide nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods of making disinfectant compositions. Films comprising the disclosed compositions are also disclosed as well as methods of disinfecting a surface.

A system for sterilizing a physical space, such as a hotel room. The system generates and distributes heated air to the physical space to elevate the temperature of the space to a level sufficient to achieve a desired sterilization effect of eradicating insects and microoganisms. The system is portable and self-contained. The system includes a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electrical power. An electrical system conditions and stores the electrical power and supplies stored electrical power to the system components and peripherals. System components include a source of hydrogen, a heater, an air distributor, and a filter. Peripherals include a UV light source and an aerosol dispenser. The combination of heat, UV light and aerosol disinfectant effectively eradicates insects, microorganisms, allergens, and odors in the physical space.

A system for sterilizing a physical space, such as a hotel room. The system generates and distributes heated air to the physical space to elevate the temperature of the space to a level sufficient to achieve a desired sterilization effect of eradicating insects and microoganisms. The system is portable and self-contained. The system includes a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electrical power. An electrical system conditions and stores the electrical power and supplies stored electrical power to the system components and peripherals. System components include a source of hydrogen, a heater, an air distributor, and a filter. Peripherals include a UV light source and an aerosol dispenser. The combination of heat, UV light and aerosol disinfectant effectively eradicates insects, microorganisms, allergens, and odors in the physical space.

A system for sterilizing a physical space, such as a hotel room. The system generates and distributes heated air to the physical space to elevate the temperature of the space to a level sufficient to achieve a desired sterilization effect of eradicating insects and microoganisms. The system is portable and self-contained. The system includes a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electrical power. An electrical system conditions and stores the electrical power and supplies stored electrical power to the system components and peripherals. System components include a source of hydrogen, a heater, an air distributor, and a filter. Peripherals include a UV light source and an aerosol dispenser. The combination of heat, UV light and aerosol disinfectant effectively eradicates insects, microorganisms, allergens, and odors in the physical space.

A system for sterilizing a physical space, such as a hotel room. The system generates and distributes heated air to the physical space to elevate the temperature of the space to a level sufficient to achieve a desired sterilization effect of eradicating insects and microoganisms. The system is portable and self-contained. The system includes a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electrical power. An electrical system conditions and stores the electrical power and supplies stored electrical power to the system components and peripherals. System components include a source of hydrogen, a heater, an air distributor, and a filter. Peripherals include a UV light source and an aerosol dispenser. The combination of heat, UV light and aerosol disinfectant effectively eradicates insects, microorganisms, allergens, and odors in the physical space.

Methods are provided which include placing one or more objects into a cabinet, subsequently closing the cabinet and remotely starting a disinfection device disposed therein to disperse a germicide within the closed cabinet. Embodiments of cabinets include an interior void of at least 10 ft.sup.3, a door to enclose the cabinet and one or more support structures arranged within the cabinet adjacent the interior void. Portions of the support structures facing the interior void are transparent and/or have through-holes. Other embodiments of cabinets include a moveable germicidal blocking partition for separating portions of the cabinet, a door for accessing one of the portions and a sensor for detecting when the partition is in position to separate the portions. An embodiment of a support structure includes a base having transparent materials and/or one or more through-holes, sidewalls shaped to match a peripheral contour of a medical device, and a weight sensor.

Methods are provided which include placing one or more objects into a cabinet, subsequently closing the cabinet and remotely starting a disinfection device disposed therein to disperse a germicide within the closed cabinet. Embodiments of cabinets include an interior void of at least 10 ft.sup.3, a door to enclose the cabinet and one or more support structures arranged within the cabinet adjacent the interior void. Portions of the support structures facing the interior void are transparent and/or have through-holes. Other embodiments of cabinets include a moveable germicidal blocking partition for separating portions of the cabinet, a door for accessing one of the portions and a sensor for detecting when the partition is in position to separate the portions. An embodiment of a support structure includes a base having transparent materials and/or one or more through-holes, sidewalls shaped to match a peripheral contour of a medical device, and a weight sensor.