The present invention relates to silica aerogels with a high to very high loading (55-90% w/w) of encapsulated biocidal and/or biorepellant compounds and very low thermal conductivity and to methods of making and using such aerogels in anti-fouling compositions, which are especially suitable for coatings (marine paints, coatings, sealants, lacquers, wood protection or similar controlled leaching systems) that are naturally exposed to humid conditions and/or water, including sea water, and thus prone to fouling.

The present invention relates to silica aerogels with a high to very high loading (55-90% w/w) of encapsulated biocidal and/or biorepellant compounds and very low thermal conductivity and to methods of making and using such aerogels in anti-fouling compositions, which are especially suitable for coatings (marine paints, coatings, sealants, lacquers, wood protection or similar controlled leaching systems) that are naturally exposed to humid conditions and/or water, including sea water, and thus prone to fouling.

A transfer article includes an acrylate layer releasable from a release layer including a metal layer, a metal oxide layer, or a doped semiconductor layer at a release value of from 2 to 50 grams/inch (0.8 to 20 g/cm). A functional layer overlies the acrylate layer, wherein the functional layer includes at least one layer of a functional material selected to provide at least one of a therapeutic, aesthetic or cosmetic benefit on a dental appliance in a mouth of a patient, and wherein the transfer article has a thickness of less than 3 micrometers. A pattern of a transfer material is on a major surface of the functional layer, wherein the transfer material includes an adhesion modifying material chosen from release materials and adhesives.

A transfer article includes an acrylate layer releasable from a release layer including a metal layer, a metal oxide layer, or a doped semiconductor layer at a release value of from 2 to 50 grams/inch (0.8 to 20 g/cm). A functional layer overlies the acrylate layer, wherein the functional layer includes at least one layer of a functional material selected to provide at least one of a therapeutic, aesthetic or cosmetic benefit on a dental appliance in a mouth of a patient, and wherein the transfer article has a thickness of less than 3 micrometers. A pattern of a transfer material is on a major surface of the functional layer, wherein the transfer material includes an adhesion modifying material chosen from release materials and adhesives.

The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of associative polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), optionally containing surfactants, biocidal agents and/or oxidants, which can provide surface protection to treated articles including reduced soiling tendency, reduced cleaning effort and improved soil repellancy, as well as providing bacteriostatic properties to treated surfaces that thereby gain resistance to water, environmental exposure and microbial challenge. Treatment means and compositions are provided that employ associative polyelectrolyte complexes formed by combining a water soluble cationic first polyelectrolyte with a water soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing groups of opposite charge to the first polyelectrolyte under suitable mixing conditions where the one polyelectrolyte present in molar excess is added in the form of a first aqueous solution during a mixing step to a second aqueous solution comprising the oppositely charged polyelectrolyte present in molar deficiency. Also provided are means to form stable associative polyelectrolyte complexes in aqueous solutions having R values from about 0.10 to 20, including near stoichiometric R values approaching 1, being the ratio of charged groups present on the component polyelectrolytes employed.

The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of associative polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), optionally containing surfactants, biocidal agents and/or oxidants, which can provide surface protection to treated articles including reduced soiling tendency, reduced cleaning effort and improved soil repellancy, as well as providing bacteriostatic properties to treated surfaces that thereby gain resistance to water, environmental exposure and microbial challenge. Treatment means and compositions are provided that employ associative polyelectrolyte complexes formed by combining a water soluble cationic first polyelectrolyte with a water soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing groups of opposite charge to the first polyelectrolyte under suitable mixing conditions where the one polyelectrolyte present in molar excess is added in the form of a first aqueous solution during a mixing step to a second aqueous solution comprising the oppositely charged polyelectrolyte present in molar deficiency. Also provided are means to form stable associative polyelectrolyte complexes in aqueous solutions having R values from about 0.10 to 20, including near stoichiometric R values approaching 1, being the ratio of charged groups present on the component polyelectrolytes employed.

Compositions and articles comprising a non-woven matrix for use as anti-microbial filters are provided. In some embodiments, the non-woven matrix comprises nanofibers suitable for capturing a droplet comprising a microbe (e.g. a virus particle). In some embodiments, the non-woven matrix comprises a biocide suitable for reducing propagation and/or inactivating a microbe.

Compositions and articles comprising a non-woven matrix for use as anti-microbial filters are provided. In some embodiments, the non-woven matrix comprises nanofibers suitable for capturing a droplet comprising a microbe (e.g. a virus particle). In some embodiments, the non-woven matrix comprises a biocide suitable for reducing propagation and/or inactivating a microbe.

A modified bentonite of biostatic and biocidal properties, the modified bentonite comprising intercalated bentonite grains, wherein each of the intercalated bentonite grains is intercalated with at least two different metal ions selected from the group consisting of silver ions (Ag.sup.+) and dipositive metal ions (Me.sup.2+).

A modified bentonite of biostatic and biocidal properties, the modified bentonite comprising intercalated bentonite grains, wherein each of the intercalated bentonite grains is intercalated with at least two different metal ions selected from the group consisting of silver ions (Ag.sup.+) and dipositive metal ions (Me.sup.2+).