Biocidal Textiles for Soldier Protection and Homeland Defense

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 aprotective 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 recentevents 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 tocotton-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 verycost 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 activeantimicrobial 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:¿ BIOSAFE's antimicrobial application creates a self-sterilizing, non-leaching, permanent antimicrobial surface. This antimicrobial action is effective against a wide spectrum of gram negative and gram-positive bacteria, yeast, molds, and fungi.¿ BIOSAFE's active QAB has been proven to be non-cytotoxic, to contain no carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins. In addition, extensive testing has demonstrated that there are no untoward effects due to acute or repeated eye, skin ororal exposure to the QAB.¿ The fast acting and broad-spectrum qualities of the BIOSAFE process makes it an appropriate alternative for fighting bioterrorism.¿ All early stage calculations demonstrate that the direct