A silicate-based glass composition includes: 40-60 wt. % SiO.sub.2, 0-10 wt. % B.sub.2O.sub.3, 0.01-10 wt. % P.sub.2O.sub.5, 0-10 wt. % Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 0-5 wt. % Li.sub.2O, 10-30 wt. % Na.sub.2O, 0.01-15 wt. % K.sub.2O, 0.01-5 wt. % MgO, 15-30 wt. % CaO, 15-35 wt. % MO, and 15-30 wt. % R.sub.2O, such that MO is the sum of MgO, CaO, SrO, BeO, and BaO, and R.sub.2O is the sum of Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O, Li.sub.2O, Rb.sub.2O, and Cs.sub.2O.

The present invention provides a method of one step ion exchange for functionalization thin glasses by strengthening and controlling the optical properties. Owing to controllable optical transmittance and absorbance properties, these thin glasses can be utilized as solar control glasses. A paste containing potassium compound and silver compound was applied to the glass substrate containing an alkali metal component by screen printing, thereafter ion exchange heat treatment was performed below glass transition temperature. The method of the invention can produce a glass with surface compressive stress between 550 and 600 MPa, compressive stress layer in the range of 10-15 μm. In the antimicrobial activity test, the amount of alive E. coli bacteria decreased ≥99.9% after 24 hours of contact time. Thin glasses, in which the optical transmittance values are controlled depending on the ion exchange process conditions, spectrally selective, chemically strengthened and showing antimicrobial surface properties that are in accordance with the requirements of the application area, were produced by one step ion exchange.

Phosphate glasses and glass-ceramics exhibit a positive percent kill as measured by United States EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy Surfaces as a Sanitizer and/or have a CIELAB L* value below 35, CIELAB a* and b* values within 5 of zero.

Phosphate glasses and glass-ceramics exhibit a positive percent kill as measured by United States EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy Surfaces as a Sanitizer and/or have a CIELAB L* value below 35, CIELAB a* and b* values within 5 of zero.

Phosphate glasses and glass-ceramics exhibit a positive percent kill as measured by United States EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy Surfaces as a Sanitizer and/or have a CIELAB L* value below 35, CIELAB a* and b* values within 5 of zero.

A dental glass powder includes 15 to 40% by mass of zinc oxide (ZnO), 20 to 55% by mass of silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), 6 to 20% by mass of aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), 1 to 13% by mass of calcium oxide (CaO), and 1 to 19% by mass of fluorine (F).

An antibacterial fiber that exhibits predetermined antibacterial properties even when washed repeatedly for 50 or more times, and a method for producing an antibacterial fiber are provided.

Disclosed are an antibacterial fiber containing a thermoplastic resin and antibacterial glass particles, and a method for producing the antibacterial fiber, the antibacterial fiber having cracks extending along the length direction of the antibacterial fiber on the surface of the antibacterial fiber, each of the cracks being in a state of having at least one of the antibacterial glass particles sandwiched therein.

A cost-effective and practical antimicrobial glaze system and glazing process is disclosed herein. The antimicrobial glaze/enamel may comprise at least two layers: a base layer and a top layer. The base layer may contain a typical or normal glaze widely used in sanitary ware, having a low level of zinc oxide. The base layer glaze may be directly sprayed on the clay body surface. A thin top glaze layer is sprayed on top of the base glaze layer and the top layer may contain a high level of zinc oxide.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to antimicrobial glass compositions, glasses, and articles. The articles include a glass, which may include a glass phase and a cuprite phase. In other embodiments, the glasses include a plurality of Cu.sup.1+ ions, a degradable phase including B.sub.2O.sub.3, P.sub.2O.sub.5 and K.sub.2O, and a durable phase including SiO.sub.2. Other embodiments include glasses having a plurality of Cu.sup.1+ ions disposed on the surface of the glass and in the glass network and/or the glass matrix. The article may also include a polymer. The glasses and articles disclosed herein exhibit a 2 log reduction or greater in a concentration of at least one of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing condition and under Modified JIS Z 2801 for Bacteria testing conditions.

An antimicrobial article that includes: an antimicrobial composite region that includes a matrix comprising a polymeric material, and a first plurality of particles within the matrix. The particles include a phase-separable glass with a copper-containing antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial composite region can be a film containing the first plurality of particles that is subsequently laminated to a bulk element. The first plurality of particles can also be pressed into the film or a bulk element to define an antimicrobial composite region. An exposed surface portion of the antimicrobial composite region can exhibit at least a log 2 reduction in a concentration of at least one of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria under a Modified EPA Copper Test Protocol.