ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIVIRAL, BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE POLYMER COMPOSITES EFFECTIVE AGAINST SARS-COV-2 AND OTHER VIRAL, BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL TARGETS, AND RELATED METHODS, MATERIALS, COATINGS AND DEVICES

摘要

Biologically active ion-exchange polymer salts are made by exchanging biologically active ionic agents onto organic ion exchange polymers. The activated polymers are uniquely surface active for use in a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral coatings, materials, and devices, to minimize or prevent pathogen transmission and/or infection of a susceptible individual such as a patient in a hospital. The resultant coatings, materials, and devices are the foundation of a system enabling the construction of spheres of protection, for example to protect against transmission of COVlD-19 (SARS-CoV-2) coronaviruses and other viral and fungal pathogens in a clinical or institutional environment, for example hospitals, community institutions, cruise ships, and long-term care facilities. The activated ion-exchange polymer salts are process stable, allowing size reduction and formulation of the resulting powders into bulk polymers or polymer precursors to produce stable, biologically active polymer composites, including antimicrobial and antiviral polymer composites.