SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed research seeks to exploit ongoing research in the area of polymeric biocidal materials immobilized on solid surfaces such as textiles (e.g. cotton, 50/50 cotton/nylon blends, and polyester) to generate a protective shell fabric for a protective suit that actively decontaminates biological species, an antimicrobial undergarment, or environmentally friendly mildewcides for cotton-based shelters. Protection against biological weapons is a key military and civilian requirement and recent events in the U.S. and around the world have clearly reinforced this need. The objective of this proposed work is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing a superadherant polymeric antimicrobial coating on fabrics using a polymeric quaternary ammonium biocide (QAB) prepared by a patented1 process to permanently fix the QAB to cotton-based fabric surfaces. This process promises a new class of polymeric biocidal coatings that are resistant to degradation from laundering, long term wear and high temperature storage. A non-polymeric commercial biocide is currently being marketed for antimicrobial protection of cotton fabrics. These fabrics are presently being marketed for odor and mildew control. The efficacy of the QAB has been found to be broad spectrum and very cost effective. The biocide is marketed by Aegis Environmental under the MicrobeShield trade mark. While the efficacy of this biocide has been found to be exceptional for control molds and mildew, efficacy has not been determined for bio terror species. BIOSAFE has spent the last five years confirming through internal research and testing that the Biosafe Process is an effective method to form a polymeric interpentrating network om solid surfaces using the Aegis MicrobeShield product , and that its active antimicrobial chemistry retains all of its antimicrobial qualities and characteristics when applied by BIOSAFE to a wide range of products and materials. As a result, BIOSAFE believes it has evidence of the market superiority of its antimicrobial application and of the qualities that will convincingly differentiate BIOSAFE in the anti bio terrriosm market. The BIOSAFE Process is superior because

Keywords:
Antimicrobial, Quaternery Ammonium Salt, Antimicrobial Fabric, Polymeric Interpenetrating Network

Protection against biological warfare is a key military and civilian requirement strongly substantiated by recent events in the U.S. and around the world. This newly defined market has significant national defense implications. Protective clothing worn by United States military personnel can be contaminated by exposure to external bio-warfare agents or bacterial contamination from the skin. Bacteria grow very quickly on fabrics. It is desirable to have protective clothing that will destroy or deactivate the bio-warfare agent on contact. The BIOSAFE Phase I study validated ongoing research in the area of biocidal materials immobilized on cotton textiles. A commercially available quaternary ammonium biocide was successfully incorporated into a textile by utilizing a patented polymeric interpenetrating network process. The effectiveness of the biocide toward species defined as bioterrorism agents was demonstrated. A major benefit of the BIOSAFE approach is that the antimicrobial already has EPA pesticide label approval The Phase II project will continue the investigation of bonding the antimicrobial with textiles in combination with additional surface treatments. The biocidal coating will have significantly enhanced efficacy and be resistant to degradation from laundering wear. The technology will be effective against Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax) spores and other bioterror species.

Keywords:
Antimicrobial, Quaternery Ammonium Salt, Antimicrobial Fabric, Polymeric Interpenetrating Network