Evaluating the structure and size of epoxy oligomers and acrylate polymers for use in functional coatings

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The growing resistance of bacteria and other microbes towards treatment by the most powerful antibiotics is atremendous challenge that threatens our ability to treat common infections, with potentially profound effects onthe health of our general population. Biocidal polymers are processable plastic materials with antimicrobialproperties that represent an exciting tool in the war on microbial infections. In particular, antimicrobialN-halamine-containing polymers are more environmentally friendly and less toxic than traditionalleaching-based systems, while still remaining active against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Exigence, aWinnipeg-based materials science firm, is developing composite biocidal polymers that exhibit both promisinganti-microbial activity and properties that allow them to be deployed as coatings in a range of settings, fromfood preparation to health care. The proposed research will focus on investigating the materials properties ofExigence's proprietary polymer precursors. A successful project outcome would develop synthetic strategies forproducing improved materials that would benefit Exigence by addressing a key knowledge gap with respect topolymer structure and composition and their ultimate properties as coating materials.