Patent Description:
Biological adhesion is a problem that persists in industries including oceanic shipping, medical devices, and textiles. Textiles are very prevalent in hospitals across the world, and are found in clothing, linens and wound dressings. Adhesion of bacteria such Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) to the surfaces of such textiles can allow their transport and subsequent transfer to medical devices and surgical sites, potentially resulting in undesirable bacterial infections.

Bacterial adhesion to textiles used to make clothing can also lead to other undesirable consequences. For instance, when a person sweats, salt and bacteria are transferred to the clothing. The bacteria can cause illness and unpleasant odors (i.e., fouling), even after laundering the clothing. Athletic apparel and workwear are worn during physical activity are particularly susceptible to such bacteria transfer.

One previous approach to combat bacterial adhesion on textiles was to incorporate a bactericidal agent such as a metal (e.g., silver, including silver nano particles) in the textile. However, any bacteria that can survive exposure to the bactericidal agent can reproduce with greater immunity and the textile eventually loses its effectiveness. In addition, the bactericidal agent may wear away or be washed out over time, thereby decreasing its effectiveness. Still further, with respect to metal bactericidal agents incorporated into textiles, metal discarded during the manufacturing process, as well as when textiles containing the metal are thrown away, may be considered toxic to the environment, particularly when the metal is a nano particle. <CIT> discloses an electrostatically self-assembled coating incorporating a biologically active agent. <CIT> discloses an adsorbent article wherein at least one part of the absorbent article carries a film having at least one monomolecular layer of a polymer having a functional group and an active agent. <CIT> discloses fibrous articles having fibers coated with one or more polyelectrolyte layers. All three documents disclose layers comprising antimicrobial agents. <CIT> discloses compositions for imparting a performance enhancing property to a fabric comprising a complex between an anionic polymer and cationic polymer.

For a detailed description of the preferred aspects of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Aspects described herein are directed to barriers or coatings, as well as methods for applying such coatings to an underlying substrate. These coatings are effective in reducing or preventing the adhesion of bacteria to the coated substrates. In some examples, reducing or preventing the adhesion of bacteria to the coated substrates can additionally prevent the substrates from developing unpleasant odors due to the presence of compounds that may otherwise be produced by bacteria, or reduce the level of odor which develops due to the presence of such compounds. The coatings function to reduce adhesion of the bacteria S. aureus and P. aeruginosa to the substrate, as opposed to actively killing the bacteria, and thus, are less likely to result in the generation of antimicrobial resistant bacteria strains. Such coatings and methods described herein offer the potential for tailoring the properties of the coatings, decreased coating times, and use of the coatings on a variety of substrates including polymers, metals, and ceramics. In general, the substrate surfaces to which the coatings described herein may be applied can be substantially smooth surfaces (e.g., planar) having an average surface roughness of less than <NUM> micron, or textured surfaces (e.g., the surfaces of textiles, foam, etc.) having an average surface roughness greater than or equal to <NUM> micron. In addition, the manufacture and application of aspects of the coatings described herein can be scaled up for mass production. The coatings discussed herein may be applied to a variety of substrates including textiles used to make clothing and linens, which would exhibit reduced accumulation of bacteria that induce residual odor/toxicity.

The effectiveness of the coatings disclosed herein offer the potential for increased durability over time as compared to some conventional approaches for reducing adhesion of bacteria. In addition, examples of the coatings disclosed herein do not substantially alter or diminish the mechanical properties of the underlying substrate. In some aspects, the coating may be described as a polymeric coating that reduces or prevents bacterial adhesion to the surface of a textile (woven or non-woven). In such aspects, the textile is the substrate, and may be illustrated herein in cross-sections that may not reflect the textured nature of the textile's surface(s). In general, the coatings described herein can be applied to a variety of different types of textiles including, without limitation, textiles made of natural and/or man-made fibers, including fibers formed of synthetic polymers. Utilizing readily available chemicals that are applied via solvent free aqueous solutions, a relatively lightweight and safe coating can be achieved using layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition. The coating is applied in the form of bilayers of cationic polymer(s) and anionic polymer(s), wherein a single bilayer is formed from the combination of a single layer comprising cationic polymer(s) and a single layer comprising anionic polymer(s), so <NUM> bilayers would comprise <NUM> layers (<NUM> cationic layers and <NUM> anionic layers), <NUM> bilayers would comprise <NUM> layers (<NUM> cationic layers and <NUM> anionic layers), and so on. In some aspects, the substrate may be treated with sodium nitrate before the bilayers are applied and/or after the bilayers are applied to oxidize the substrate and potentially enhance adhesion of the coating to the substrate.

Layer-by-layer deposition may be used to apply a coating (i.e., one or more bilayers) with an overall thickness of less than <NUM> micron to the surfaces of a plurality of fibers in a textile. In one example, the plurality of fibers can be present as yarns forming a knit or woven textile. In another example, the plurality of fibers can be present as entangled fibers forming a non-woven textile. The substrate may be dipped into an aqueous solution including cationic polymer(s), then rinsed with water such as deionized water, then dipped in an aqueous solution including anionic polymers and rinsed again to form a single bilayer. This process may be repeated until a desired number of bilayers are formed. In an aspect, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) and chitosan (CH) are used as cation polymers and polyacrylic acid (PAA) is used as the anionic polymer. In some aspects, when deposited, a uniform coating is achieved that does not affect the hand (feeling) of the textile. In some aspects, a roll-to-roll process, which may be referred to as "paddling" in the textile industry, may be employed, for example, on a commercial scale. In other aspects, a continuous coater may be used to form the bilayers. The coating may be a rough coating with respect to the smoothness of the surface, since the coating is applied to a three-dimensional surface. As will be described in more detail below, the performance of coatings described herein were quantified with bioluminescent bacteria. In some aspects, using as few as five cationic-anionic bilayers, a coating can be applied that reduces adhesion of bacteria such as S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by at least <NUM>% of deposited bacteria, and using ten cationic-anionic bilayers, a coating can be applied that reduces adhesion of bacteria such as S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by at least <NUM>% of deposited bacteria. Accordingly, such coatings offer potential benefits when applied to textiles used in apparel and hospital fabrics to inhibit bacterial adhesion. This technology can be easily applied to coat large quantities of textiles for the use in such applications, thereby offering the potential to reduce the transmission and spread of bacterial infections including MRSA, as well as reduce bacterial contamination and odor of soiled garments after vigorous exercise.

The following discussion is directed to various exemplary aspects. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any aspect is meant only to be exemplary of that aspect, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that aspect.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to. " As used herein, the phrases "consist(s) of" and "consisting of" are used to refer to exclusive components of a composition, meaning only those expressly recited components are included in the composition; whereas the phrases "consist(s) essentially of" and "consisting essentially of" are used to refer to the primary components of a composition, meaning that only small or trace amounts of components other than the expressly recited components (e.g., impurities, byproducts, etc.) may be included in the composition. For example, a composition consisting of X and Y refers to a composition that only includes X and Y, and thus, does not include any other components; and a composition consisting essentially of X and Y refers to a composition that primarily comprises X and Y, but may include small or trace amounts of components other than X and Y. In aspects described herein, any such small or trace amounts of components other than those expressly recited following the phrase "consist(s) essentially of" or "consisting essentially of" preferably represent less than <NUM> weight percent of the composition, more preferably less than <NUM> weight percent of the composition, even more preferably less than <NUM> weight percent of the composition, and still more preferably less than <NUM> weight percent of the composition. The term "Bacterial Adhesion Testing" as used herein refers to the testing methodologies described in the Bacterial Adhesion Testing section below. That testing methodology characterizes the properties of the recited coatings and materials, and are not required to be performed as active steps in the claims.

Referring now to <FIG>, an aspect of a textile <NUM> comprising a coating as described herein is shown. In this aspect, textile <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM> and a barrier or coating <NUM> applied to substrate <NUM>. As used herein, the term "textured" may be used to refer to a surface having a texture characterized by an average surface roughness greater than or equal to <NUM> micron, whereas the term "smooth" may be used to refer to a surface having an average surface roughness less than <NUM> micron. Substrate <NUM> has a first side or surface 102a, a second side or surface 102b opposite first surface 102a, and a thickness T<NUM> measured between surfaces 102a, 102b. In this aspect, surfaces 102a, 102b are generally parallel, and thus, the thickness T<NUM> is measured perpendicularly to surfaces 102a, 102b. Substrate <NUM> comprises a material <NUM>. In general, material <NUM> can be any textile including, without limitation, textiles made of natural and/or man-made materials such as nylon, polyester, poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET), cotton, regenerated cellulose, etc. The natural and/or man-made materials can be present as fibers, including fibers having polymeric cores, as well as blends or combinations thereof. The fibers can be present as loose fibers, as entangled fibers, or as yarns, including monofilament yarns.

Coating <NUM> is applied to first surface 102a of substrate <NUM>. In particular, coating <NUM> has an inner side or surface 110a engaging surface 102a of substrate <NUM>, an outer side or surface 110b distal substrate <NUM>, and a thickness T<NUM> measured between surfaces 110a, 110b. In this aspect, surfaces 110a, 110b are generally parallel, and thus, the thickness T<NUM> is measured perpendicular to surfaces 110a, 110b. In aspects described herein, the thickness T<NUM> is less than <NUM> micron. In some aspects, the thickness T<NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, or other combinations or ranges depending upon the application. When applying coatings to substrates with textured surfaces (e.g., foam or textile), weight gain is typically used in place of thickness. Coatings that are less than one micron in thickness will typically add less than <NUM> weight percent to the substrate. In one aspect, a preferred weight gain is <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent, and in another, the preferred weight gain may be <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent.

Referring still to <FIG>, coating <NUM> is made of a plurality of bilayers <NUM> disposed one on top of the other between surfaces 110a, 110b. Each bilayer <NUM> includes a first layer <NUM> and a second layer <NUM> disposed on the first layer <NUM>. In addition, each layer <NUM>, <NUM> has a thickness T<NUM>, T<NUM>, respectively, and each bilayer <NUM> has a thickness T<NUM> equal to the sum of the thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM> of the corresponding layers <NUM>, <NUM>. Thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> are measured perpendicular to surface 110a. In aspects described herein, the thickness T<NUM>, T<NUM> of each layer <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively is from <NUM> to <NUM>, or from <NUM> to <NUM>; and the thickness T<NUM> of each bilayer <NUM> is from <NUM> to <NUM> or from <NUM> to <NUM>. In general, each layer <NUM>, <NUM> within a given bilayer <NUM> may have the same or different thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, respectively, and further, the thickness T<NUM> of each bilayer <NUM> may be the same or different.

In this aspect, each layer <NUM> is formed of a composition comprising a cationic polymer and each layer <NUM> is formed of a composition comprising an anionic polymer. As will be described in more detail below, the cationic polymer and anionic polymer of layers <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, can be applied via aqueous solutions. In aspects described herein, the cationic polymer component of each layer <NUM> can comprise or consist essentially of polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(vinyl amine) [PVAm], poly(allyl amine) [PAAm], polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), chitosan (CH), or combinations thereof, and the anionic polymer component of each layer <NUM> can comprise or consist essentially of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(styrene sulfonate) [PSS], poly(methacrylic acid) [PMAA], poly(sodium phosphate) [PSP], poly(vinyl sulfate) [PVS] or combinations thereof. In general, bilayers <NUM> can include the same or different cationic polymers and anionic polymers in layers <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, within a single coating <NUM>. As used herein, two polymers (cationic polymers or anionic polymers) are considered to be different from one another if one of the polymers includes at least one monomer unit having a chemical structure that differs from the chemical structure of each of the monomeric units of the other polymer. In some aspects, the coating <NUM> may comprise a single cationic polymer in each layer <NUM>, with the concentration of the cationic polymer varying between bilayers <NUM>. In some cases, this variation may create a concentration gradient that increases in the bilayers <NUM> moving from inner surface 110a to outer surface 110b. In the aspect of coating <NUM> shown in <FIG>, each layer <NUM> is made of a combination of polymers consisting essentially of PDDA and CH, and each layer <NUM> is made of polymers consisting essentially of PAA. Textiles with coatings formed of this combination of polymers can be effective in reducing adhesion of bacteria as compared with identical textiles without such coatings.

In general, the number of bilayers <NUM> and the thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> can be selected to achieve a target degree of weight added to substrate <NUM> by coating <NUM>, a desired degree of coverage of the substrate <NUM>, a desired reduction in bacterial adhesion, or combinations thereof. In aspects described herein, the thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> are selected to ensure coating <NUM> adds no more than <NUM> weight percent to substrate <NUM>, or adds from <NUM> weight percent to <NUM> weight percent to substrate <NUM>, or adds less than <NUM> weight percent to substrate <NUM>; the number of bilayers <NUM> is four or more, or six; and the reduction in bacterial adhesion is at least <NUM>% as compared to an uncoated substrate <NUM>, or at least <NUM>% as compared to an uncoated substrate <NUM>. In aspects described herein, the degree of weight added to substrate <NUM> is expressed as a function of the weight of the uncoated substrate <NUM>. Thus, for example, if a weight of an uncoated substrate is <NUM>, then a target weight gain of less than <NUM> weight percent indicates the coated substrate (e.g., substrate <NUM> plus coating <NUM>) would weigh less than <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, only one surface 102a of substrate <NUM> is coated with coating <NUM>. However, in other aspects, both surfaces 102a, 102b of substrate <NUM> are coated with a coating. For example, referring now to <FIG>, a textile <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM> and coatings <NUM> applied to both surfaces 102a, 102b. Substrate <NUM> and each coating <NUM> is as previously described with respect to <FIG>. In particular aspects, the textile <NUM> including coatings <NUM> applied to both surfaces 102a, 102b can be effective in reducing bacterial adhesion.

In the aspects shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the innermost layer of each coating <NUM> (i.e., the layer closest to substrate <NUM> and defining surface(s) 110a) is a layer <NUM> comprising cationic polymer(s) and the outermost layer of each coating <NUM> (i.e., the layer furthest from substrate and defining surface(s) 110b) is a layer <NUM> comprising anionic polymer(s). However, in other aspects, the outermost layer of the coating (e.g., coating <NUM>) is a layer comprising cationic polymer(s) (e.g., layer <NUM>). In such aspects, the innermost layer of the coating can comprise the cationic polymer(s) (e.g., layer <NUM>), and an additional, single layer comprising cationic polymer(s) (half of a bilayer <NUM>) provided as the outermost layer.

Referring now to <FIG>, an aspect of a textile <NUM> with a coating as described herein, including a coating conferring reduced bacterial adhesion on the substrate is shown. In this aspect, textile <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM> as previously described and a coating <NUM> applied to substrate <NUM>. In this aspect, coating <NUM> is only applied to one surface 102a of substrate <NUM>, however, in other aspects, a coating <NUM> is applied to both surfaces 102a, 102b of substrate <NUM>.

Coating <NUM> has an inner side or surface 210a, an outer side or surface 210b, and a thickness T<NUM> measured between surfaces 210a, 210b. In this aspect, surfaces 210a, 210b are generally parallel, and thus, the thickness T<NUM> is measured perpendicular to surfaces 210a, 210b. In aspects described herein, the thickness T<NUM> is less than <NUM> micron. In some aspects, the thickness T<NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, or other combinations or ranges depending upon the application. In aspects described herein, the thickness T<NUM> is less than <NUM> micron. In some aspects, the thickness T<NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, or other combinations or ranges depending upon the application. When applying coatings to substrates with textured surfaces (e.g., foam or textile), weight gain is typically used in place of thickness.

Referring still to <FIG>, coating <NUM> is made of a plurality of bilayers <NUM>, <NUM> disposed one on top of the other between surfaces 210a, 210b. Each bilayer <NUM> is as previously described. Namely, each bilayer <NUM> includes a first layer <NUM> having a thickness T<NUM> and being made of a composition comprising cationic polymer(s) and a second layer <NUM> having a thickness T<NUM> and being made of a composition comprising anionic polymer(s). In addition, each bilayer <NUM> has a thickness T<NUM> equal to the sum of the thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM> of the corresponding layers <NUM>, <NUM>. Thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> are measured perpendicular to surface 210a. Similarly, each bilayer <NUM> includes a first layer <NUM> having a thickness T<NUM> and being made of a composition comprising cationic polymer(s) and a second layer <NUM> having a thickness T<NUM> and being made of a composition comprising anionic polymer(s). In addition, each bilayer <NUM> has a thickness T<NUM> equal to the sum of the thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM> of the corresponding layers <NUM>, <NUM>. Thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> are measured perpendicular to surface 210a.

Bilayers <NUM> are the same as bilayers <NUM> with the exception that layer <NUM> made of the composition comprising cationic polymer(s) is replaced with layer <NUM> made of a composition comprising different cationic polymer(s). The cationic polymer(s) of each layer <NUM>, <NUM> (i.e., the cationic polymer component of the composition) can comprise or consist essentially of polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(vinyl amine) [PVAm], poly(allyl amine) [PAAm], polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), chitosan (CH), or combinations thereof, and the anionic polymer(s) of each layer <NUM> (i.e., the anioinic polymer component of the composition ) can comprise or consist essentially of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(styrene sulfonate) [PSS], poly(methacrylic acid) [PMAA], poly(sodium phosphate) [PSP], poly(vinyl sulfate) [PVS] or combinations thereof.

In aspects described herein, the thickness T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> of each layer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> respectively is from <NUM> to <NUM>, or from <NUM> to <NUM>; and the thickness T<NUM> of each bilayer <NUM> is from <NUM> to <NUM> or from <NUM> to <NUM>. In general, each layer <NUM>, <NUM> within a given bilayer <NUM> may have the same or different thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, respectively, and further, the thickness T<NUM> of each bilayer <NUM> may be the same or different. In general, each layer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> within a given bilayer <NUM>, <NUM> may have the same or different thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, respectively, and further, the thickness T<NUM>, T<NUM> of each bilayer <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, may be the same or different.

In general, the number of bilayers <NUM>, <NUM> and the thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> can be selected to achieve a target degree of weight added to substrate <NUM> by coating <NUM>, a desired degree of coverage of the substrate <NUM>, a desired reduction in bacterial adhesion, or combinations thereof. In aspects described, thicknesses T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM>, T<NUM> are selected to ensure coating <NUM> adds no more than <NUM> weight percent to substrate <NUM>, or adds from <NUM> weight percent to <NUM> weight percent to substrate <NUM>, or adds less than <NUM> weight percent to substrate <NUM>; the number of bilayers <NUM>, <NUM> is four or more, or six; and the reduction in bacterial adhesion is at least <NUM> percent as compared to an uncoated substrate <NUM>, or at least <NUM> percent as compared to an uncoated substrate <NUM>.

In the aspects shown in <FIG>, the innermost layer of each coating <NUM> (i.e., the layer closest to substrate <NUM> and defining surface(s) 210a) is a layer <NUM> comprising cationic polymer(s) and the outermost layer of each coating <NUM> (i.e., the layer furthest from substrate and defining surface(s) 210b) is a layer <NUM> comprising anionic polymer(s). However, as shown in <FIG>, in other aspects, the outermost layer of the coating (e.g., coating <NUM>) is a layer comprising cationic polymer(s) (e.g., layer <NUM>). In such aspects, the innermost layer of the coating can comprise cationic polymer(s) (e.g., layer <NUM>), and an additional, single layer comprising cationic polymer(s) (half of a bilayer <NUM>) provided as the outermost layer.

In the aspects of coatings <NUM>, <NUM> previously described, the coating is applied directly to the surface 102a and/or surface 102b of substrate <NUM>. However, in other aspects, a primer or pretreatment layer of sodium nitrate is applied to substrate <NUM> before coating <NUM>, <NUM> is applied. Thus, in such aspects, the pretreatment layer of sodium nitrate is positioned between substrate <NUM> and the coating <NUM>, <NUM>. The pretreatment layer of sodium nitrate, if included, oxidizes the underlying substrate <NUM> and may enhance adhesion of the coating <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition, the optional pretreatment layer of sodium nitrate, if included, adds negligible weight to substrate <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an aspect of a method <NUM> for manufacturing a textile (e.g., textile <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is shown. The textile manufactured in accordance with this method can be effective in reducing bacterial adhesion. Beginning at block <NUM>, substrate <NUM> as previously described is rinsed in deionized water and dried (e.g., in ambient air, under heated air, under cooled air, or combinations thereof). At block <NUM>, a determination is made as to whether a primer or pre-treatment layer of sodium nitrate is desired, and if so, at block <NUM>, the pre-treatment layer of sodium nitrate is applied to the substrate <NUM> by dipping, spraying, roll-to-roll, or other application process. As previously described, the pretreatment layer of sodium nitrate, when included, oxidizes the underlying substrate <NUM> and may enhance adhesion of the subsequently applied coating, and further, adds negligible weight to the substrate.

Regardless of whether or not a primer layer is applied at block <NUM>, formation of the coating begins at block <NUM> by applying a composition comprising cationic polymer(s) to substrate <NUM> to form innermost layer <NUM>. In general, the cationic polymer composition can be applied to substrate <NUM> at block <NUM> by a dipping, spraying, roll-to-roll, or other application process. In this aspect, the layer of cationic polymer(s) is applied by forming an aqueous solution of one or more cationic polymers, and then applying the aqueous solution to substrate <NUM>. The cationic polymer aqueous solution can comprise water and the cationic polymer(s). In some aspects, the cationic polymer solution consists essentially of water and one or more cationic polymer(s). Accordingly, the cationic polymer aqueous solution is substantially free or completely free of organic solvent(s). In one aspect, the cationic polymer component of the cationic polymer aqueous solution consists essentially of the cationic polymer PAA. The cationic polymer component of the cationic polymer aqueous solution can be dissolved in water at a concentration of about <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent, or <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent. After applying the cationic polymer aqueous solution to substrate <NUM>, the substrate with the cationic polymer aqueous solution applied thereto is rinsed in deionized water at block <NUM> and then dried at block <NUM> to form layer <NUM> on substrate <NUM>. In general, the drying in block <NUM> can be performed in ambient air, or via exposure to heated or cooled air. In one aspect, the cationic polymer aqueous solution is applied to substrate <NUM> at block <NUM> by dipping the substrate <NUM> in the cationic polymer aqueous solution for about <NUM>-<NUM> minutes (e.g., about <NUM> minutes), followed by a one minute water rinse in block <NUM>, and subsequent dry in ambient air at block <NUM>.

Moving now to block <NUM>, a layer <NUM>, <NUM> of a composition comprising one or more anionic polymer(s) is applied to layer <NUM> to form the first bilayer <NUM>, <NUM> in block <NUM>. In general, the composition comprising the anionic polymer(s) can be applied at block <NUM> by a dipping, spraying, roll-to-roll, or other application process. In this aspect, the composition comprising the anionic polymer(s) is applied by forming an anionic polymer aqueous solution, and then applying the anionic polymer aqueous solution to substrate <NUM> and layer <NUM> thereon. The anionic polymer aqueous solution comprises water and one or more anionic polymer(s). In certain aspects, the anionic polymer aqueous solution consists essentially of water and one or more anionic polymer(s). Accordingly, the anionic polymer aqueous solution is substantially free or completely free of organic solvent(s). In one aspect, the anionic polymer component of the anionic polymer aqueous solution consists essentially of polyethyleneimine (PEI), polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), chitosan (CH), or combinations. The anionic polymeric component of the anionic polymer aqueous solution can be dissolved in an aqueous solution at a concentration of <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent, or <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent, or <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent. After applying the anionic polymer aqueous solution to substrate <NUM> and layer <NUM> thereon, the substrate <NUM> is rinsed in deionized water at block <NUM> and then dried at block <NUM>, resulting in the formation of bilayer <NUM>, <NUM> in block <NUM>. In general, rinsing and drying in blocks <NUM>, <NUM> can be performed in the same manner as rinsing and drying in blocks <NUM>, <NUM> previously described.

In the manner described, one bilayer <NUM>, <NUM> is formed on substrate <NUM>. Blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are repeated to add additional bilayers <NUM>, <NUM> to the substrate <NUM> to form coating <NUM>, <NUM> at block <NUM>. In some aspects, an outermost layer comprising the cationic polymer(s) may be applied after a final bilayer <NUM>, <NUM> is formed at block <NUM>, as shown in least <FIG>.

In some aspects, each bilayer of the plurality of bilayers comprises the same anionic polymer(s) and cationic polymer(s), and is an equivalent thickness as compared to the other bilayers. In other aspects, some bilayers of the plurality of bilayers formed at block <NUM> may comprise different anionic polymer(s) and/or cationic polymer(s), and/or be of varying thicknesses as compared to other bilayers of the same or differing compositions. Alternatively or additionally, the layers or bilayers can differ based on the weight percent of the anionic polymer(s) and the cationic polymer(s.

To further illustrate various illustrative aspects of the present invention, the following examples are provided.

The reduction in adhesion of bacteria to aspects of coatings described herein were analyzed and quantified by bacterial loss analysis. In particular, the bacterial loss was quantified by imaging textile samples that were spotted with various concentrations of bacterial solution. The textile was then washed with water and reimaged. Radiance was measured to quantify the bioluminescence, and the direct relationship to viable bacterial colony forming units on the textile was used to quantify the loss. In this way, the bacterial colony forming units were compared before and after washing. As will be described in more detail below, using this technique, it was determined that more than <NUM> percent of the bacteria were removed from coated textile in contrast to only about <NUM> percent that were removed from uncoated polyester textile.

The samples were evaluated using bioluminescence, which may overcome the challenges of other techniques that may not be viable or accurate for substrates having more highly textured surfaces and provides a fast and easy method to quantify bacterial concentration on textured surfaces. As discussed herein, the efficacy of a polyelectrolyte multilayer coating of PDDA and PAA on polyester textile was evaluated.

PDDA (MW = <NUM>,<NUM>/mol, <NUM> weight percent solution) and PAA (MW = <NUM>,<NUM>/mol, <NUM> weight percent aqueous solution) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich of Milwaukee, WI, USA. All chemicals were used as received. Ultrapure deionized water filtered using a water filtration system from Milli-Q of Billerica, MA, USA having a specific resistance greater than <NUM> megaohms was used in all aqueous solutions and rinses.

Substrates and assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers. Single-side-polished, <NUM> micron thick silicon (Si) wafers from University Wafer of South Boston, MA, USA, were used as deposition substrates for ellipseometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The Si wafers were rinsed with deionized water and methanol, and plasma treated under atmosphere for <NUM> minutes using plasma cleaner model PDC-<NUM> from Harrick Plasma, Inc. of Ithaca, NY, USA. Additionally, thin strips of <NUM> mil thick poly(ethyleneterapthalate) (PET) from Tekra of New Berlin, WI, USA were rinsed with deionized water and methanol. The PET surface was imparted with a negative charge using a BD-<NUM> corona treater from Electro-Teching, Inc. of Chicago, IL, USA. Polyester <NUM> supplied by Test Fabrics Inc. of West Pittston, PA, USA was washed with deionized water thoroughly and dried at <NUM> prior to use.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition on two dimensional surfaces (using Si wafers and PET strips as substrates) was carried out using an in-house built robotic coater. The substrate was first immersed in a <NUM> weight percent PDDA aqueous solution for <NUM>, rinsed with deionized water, then blown dry with compressed air. This procedure was followed by an identical dipping, rinsing, and drying procedure in <NUM> weight percent PAA aqueous solution, resulting in one bilayer of PDDA/PAA. Following the deposition of the initial bilayer, immersion times were reduced to <NUM> minute. To ensure the best possible surface coverage of the polymers, a longer immersion time (<NUM>. ) was employed for the initial bilayer.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition on textile samples was carried out via a <NUM> minute immersion in <NUM> weight percent PDDA aqueous solution followed by rinsing in deionized water and wringing out, and then a <NUM> minute immersion in a <NUM> weight percent PAA aqueous solution followed by rinsing in deionized water and wringing out, thereby resulting in <NUM> bilayer of PDDA/PAA on the textile. Following the deposition of the initial bilayer on the textile, immersion times were reduced to <NUM> minute. The coating process was repeated until the desired number of bilayers were deposited, as shown in <FIG>.

Testing was performed on the samples fabricated according to certain aspects of the present disclosure using bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus) Xen36 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) Xen41 available from PerkinElmer of Waltham, MA, USA. Overnight cultures were grown in Luria-Burtani (LB) media containing either <NUM> microgram per milliliter of kanamycin for S. aureus cultures or <NUM> microgram per milliliter tetracycline for P. aeruginosa cultures, then spun down at a rate of <NUM> revolutions per minute and re-suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and diluted to a concentration of 5x108 colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Two-fold dilutions were then prepared in PBS to test a range of bacterial concentrations for bacterial adherence. Circular swatches of <NUM> diameter textile with the PDDA/PAA at <NUM> (comparative example), <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> bilayers and an uncoated "control" swatch of textile were sterilized with <NUM>% ethanol for <NUM> minutes, and the textiles were then rinsed with sterile water and allowed to dry for approximately <NUM> minutes in a biological safety cabinet. The textile swatches were then spotted with <NUM> microliter of each bacterial dilution in triplicate. The textiles were then imaged using an IVIS Lumina II imaging system from PerkinElmer of Waltham, MA, USA using <NUM> minute exposure time on a luminescence imaging setting with f-stop <NUM>, field of view <NUM>, and binning factor <NUM>. Following imaging, the textile samples were washed together in a <NUM> liter beaker using <NUM> milliliters per textile sample for <NUM> minutes in sterilized water. The wash was decanted off and the textiles were rinsed in <NUM> milliliters of sterilized water. This wash procedure was repeated one additional time. The textile was then placed on an LB agar plate containing either <NUM> micrograms per milliliter of kanamycin or <NUM> micrograms per milliliter of tetracycline for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The plated textile samples were imaged again to determine the amount of bacteria lost following washing. To determine the ability of the bacteria to regrow on each textile, the textile swatches were then incubated at <NUM> degrees C and reimaged hourly for <NUM> hours. To assess the bactericidal versus anti-adhesion properties of PDDA/PAA coated textile, samples were spotted with <NUM> microliters of a 5x108 colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) aliquot of S. aureus, and imaged to quantify radiance. The textile swatches were then washed individually in <NUM> milliliters of PBS for <NUM> minutes with a magnetic stir plate. Next, the textile swatches were imaged to determine the amount of bacteria removed using bioluminescence. Wash water for each sample underwent three <NUM> fold dilutions, which were all spotted on an LB agar plate coating <NUM> micrograms per milliliter of kanamycin. Bacterial colonies were counted to determine the amount to viable bacteria in the wash water.

Thicknesses of aspects of coatings described herein were evaluated using a α-SE ellipsometer available from J. of Lincoln, NE, USA. Surface roughnesses of aspects of coatings described herein were characterized using a Dimension Icon atomic force micrometer available from Bruker Corp. of Billerica, MA, USA via tapping mode experiments. Surface wettability of aspects of coatings described herein were evaluated on <NUM> mil PET film using a KSV NIMA CAM <NUM> goniometer optical contact angle and surface tension meter available from Biolin Scientific USA, Paramaus, NJ, USA via static contact angle experiments. Weight gains resulting from the application of aspects of coatings described herein were evaluated on a PET textile (<NUM> by <NUM> centimeter sheets of Polyester <NUM>), which was weighed dry before and after coating to measure the change in mass of the textiles due to the coatings.

Coatings comprising PDDA/PAA bilayers were applied in <NUM> bilayer intervals on Si wafers for thickness and roughness evaluation. In addition, coatings comprising PDDA/PAA bilayers were applied on the PET film to measure surface contact angle for surface wettability evaluation, and coatings comprising PDDA/PAA bilayers were applied to the PET textiles for evaluation of weight gain and bacterial adhesion resistance. The coating thicknesses and contact angles were measured as described above (using a using an alpha-SE ellipsometer from J. Woollam of Lincoln, Nebraska, USA and a KSV CAM <NUM> contact angle goniometer from KSV Instruments Ltd, Trumbull, CT, USA. Bacterial adhesion was measured using a Biological Adhesion Test described in more detail below.

<FIG> illustrates the coating thickness and weight gain as a function of the number of bilayers. As shown in <FIG>, the coatings generally grew in a linear fashion indicating uniform thickness per bilayer and suggesting minimal interdiffusion between PDDA and PAA during growth. As also illustrated in <FIG>, the weight gain on the textile resulting from the coatings exhibited two different linear growth regions - a first linear growth region for up to <NUM> bilayers and a second, faster linear growth region for more than <NUM> bilayers. Without being limited by this or any particular theory, the initial deposition of the first bilayer on the PET textile relies on van der Waals forces between the PDDA and the PET substrate, which has a neutral surface charge. Van der Waals forces are much weaker than electrostatic forces between the positively charged quaternary amine of PDDA and the negatively charged Si substrate. As a result, less PDDA is deposited initially on the PET substrate leading to less surface coverage per deposition cycle, but once a consistent base of polyelectrolytes are deposited, at <NUM> bilayers, the electrostatic forces become dominant, contributing to the higher but linear growth rate observed.

Table <NUM> above illustrates the measured thicknesses and roughnesses of the PDDA/PAA bilayer coatings as deposited on the Si wafers, and the measured contact angles of the PDDA/PAA bilayer coatings deposited on the <NUM> mil PET film. The contact angle images for coatings comprising <NUM> (comparative example), <NUM> (comparative example), <NUM>, and <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayers are illustrated in the inset images of <FIG>, respectively.

<FIG> illustrate the results of atomic force microscopy (AFM) for determining surface roughnesses. In particular, the PDDA/PAA bilayer coatings deposited on the Si wafers were imaged using AFM to evaluate surface roughness as a function of the number of bilayers. The uncoated Si wafers had an average roughness of <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> illustrates an AFM image of an Si wafer with no bilayers (comparative example), <FIG> illustrates an AFM image of an Si wafer with <NUM> bilayers applied (comparative example), <FIG> illustrates an AFM image of an Si wafer with <NUM> bilayers applied, <FIG> illustrates an AFM image of an Si wafer with <NUM> bilayers applied. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> bilayers results in island like domains scattered across the surface of the Si wafer. Uncoated Si was observed, indicating complete coverage of the substrate was not achieved. The roughness increased to approximately <NUM>. Moving now to <FIG> bilayers, incomplete coverage was still observed (bare Si substrate or minimally coated Si substrate). One such pore can be seen highlighted in <FIG>. The depth of the pore was estimated to be <NUM>-<NUM>, which is of similar magnitude to the <NUM> measured thickness of the coating. The measured surface roughness of the <NUM> bilayer coating was <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> bilayers, the pores observed at <NUM> bilayers (<FIG>) were non-existent. The measured surface roughness of the <NUM> bilayer coating was <NUM>.

Static contact angle measurements were taken to evaluate the hydrophobicity of the <NUM> mil PET films coated with different numbers of PDDA/PAA bilayers. The contact angle images for <NUM> (comparative example), <NUM> (comparative example), <NUM>, and <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayer coatings are shown in the inserts of <FIG>. Contact angle measurements using Young's model can be given by Equation <NUM> as follows: <MAT>.

Where theta (Θ) is the measured contact angle, ysv is the interfacial surface tension between the surface and vapor, γsl is the interfacial surface tension between the surface and liquid drop, and γ/v is the interfacial surface tension between liquid and vapor. Using this information, surface energy trends can be estimated, based on the understanding that decreasing contact angles measured with water, hydrophilicity increases along with surface energy. The uncoated PET film exhibited a contact angle of <NUM> ± <NUM> degrees, while a PET film coated with <NUM> bilayers of PDDA/PAA exhibited a contact angle of <NUM> ± <NUM> degrees (a <NUM> percent decrease in the contact angle for <NUM> bilayers as compared to uncoated). The PET film coated with <NUM> bilayers of PDDA/PAA exhibited a contact angle of <NUM> ± <NUM> degrees (a <NUM> percent decrease in the contact angle as compared to <NUM> bilayers and a <NUM> percent decrease in contact angle as compared to uncoated). The PET film coated with <NUM> bilayers exhibited a contact angle of <NUM> ± <NUM> degrees (a <NUM> percent decrease in contact angle as compared to <NUM> bilayers and a <NUM> percent decrease in contact angle as compared to uncoated).

Testing was used to visualize and quantitatively measure bacterial populations on aspects of coatings described herein before and after washing coated textiles with sterile water. In some aspects of coatings discussed herein, the coatings were effective in reducing and/or eliminating accumulation of bacteria on the underlying substrate. In one test, samples of polyester fabric were coated with different numbers of PDDA/PAA bilayers, and a bioluminescent strain of S. aureus containing an integrated copy of the luxABCDE operon from Photorhabdus luminescens was used to visualize and quantitatively measure bacterial populations on the coated samples of fabric both before and after washing with sterile water. In particular, to get a better sense of the impact of the coatings on the adhesion of bacteria, the data was quantified to illustrate the quantity of bacteria removed from the surface of the coated fabric samples after washing with sterile water. This data was quantified using Living Image software from Perkin Elmer and correlated to bacterial colony forming units (CFU) per area. Using a standard curve generated from <NUM>-fold dilutions of bioluminescent S. aureus Xen36, the CFUs were calculated for each spot on the fabric samples. The CFUs were calculated for the most concentrated spots on the fabric (shown in the top "Prewash" row in <FIG>). The data is summarized in Table <NUM> below, which illustrates a steady decrease in the amount of S. aureus detected before and after washing with sterile water.

As shown in Table <NUM> above, at <NUM> bilayers, an order of magnitude difference in the amount of bacteria detected was observed. At <NUM> bilayers, the amount of bacteria detected was <NUM> orders of magnitude less than uncoated fabric. The results of all trials were combined based on percent reduction of bacteria via washing. In general, as the number of bilayers of PDDA/PAA increased, the amount of bacteria removed by washing increased - (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> (<NUM> percent reduction in bacteria) < (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> (<NUM>% reduction in bacteria) < (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> (<NUM> percent reduction in bacteria) < (PDDA/PAA)s (<NUM> precent reduction in bacteria) < (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> (<NUM> percent reduction in bacteria) < (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> (<NUM> percent reduction in bacteria).

Results of the Biological Adhesion Testing are visually illustrated in <FIG>. In particular, <FIG> are bioluminescent images of the results of Biological Adhesion Testing for an uncoated sample of polyester fabric (<FIG>) and samples of polyester fabric coated with different numbers of PDDA/PAA bilayers (<FIG>) as tested with S. aureus bacteria. The top row (pre-wash) of <FIG> are polyester fabric samples tested according to the Biological Adhesion Testing with S. aureas freshly applied, and the bottom row (post-wash) of <FIG> are the same fabric samples as the top row after being washed with sterilized water. <FIG> is an image of a fabric sample with no coating (<NUM> bilayers) (comparative example), <FIG> shows a fabric sample comprising <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayers (comparative example), <FIG> shows a fabric sample comprising <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayers, <FIG> shows a fabric sample comprising <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayers, <FIG> shows a fabric sample comprising <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayers, and <FIG> shows a fabric sample comprising <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayers.

The colorful spots in <FIG> indicate luminescence from viable S. aureus bacteria, with bright/warmer colors and larger spots representing more bacteria present on the fabric samples. In particular, the radiance index indicates bacteria viability, with a higher radiance value being associated with more viable bacteria present on the fabric sample. When the fabric samples were rinsed with sterilized water, the intensity of the spots was reduced with the degree of reduction generally depending on the number of PDDA/PAA bilayers. In particular, a decreasing amount of bioluminescence was seen post-wash with an increasing number of PDDA/PAA bilayers. The rows of spots in each of <FIG> pre-wash are made of the same bacterial concentrations, and the columns consist of spots with bacterial concentrations decreasing by about <NUM> percent per row.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating the percent loss of bacterial as a function of the number of PDDA/PAA bilayers after washing according to the Bacterial Adhesion Testing described above. As shown in <FIG>, increasing the number of PDDA/PAA bilayers increases the efficacy of washing the fabric sample with sterilized water, and at <NUM> and <NUM> bilayers the vast majority of S. aureus was removed by the washing step. It should be appreciated that a larger percent of bacteria were removed by washing the fabric samples with more PDDA/PAA bilayers, such that the polyester fabric sample coated with <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayers was close to <NUM> percent free (<NUM> percent) of bacteria after washing.

The <NUM> PDDA/PAA bilayer sample of <FIG> constituted a <NUM> thick coating that did not have any observable adverse effects to the feel (texture/surface roughness) of the textile, which is a desirable result for textiles used in both athletic and medical environments.

<FIG> illustrate bioluminescent images of regrowth of S. aureus on the textile after washing according to Biological Adhesion Testing. The same polyester fabric samples illustrated in <FIG> were put onto a nutrient rich agar plate and placed in the oven at <NUM> degrees C. The textile was then imaged hourly for the next three hours using the IVIS. From <FIG>, it is seen that the increase in radius and intensity of the spots was indicative of bacterial regrowth. Over a period of three hours, the bacteria radiated from their central spotting location which was especially evident in the samples with fewer PDDA/PAA bilayers. It was concluded that increased bacterial growth was not a result of random adherence of viable bacteria during washing, but regrowth of viable S. aureus that remained adhered after washing. In examining the raw pictures of the regrowth and plotting bacterial concentration as a function of time after washing, it was clear that the textile with more bilayers of PDDA/PAA created an environment that slowed the bacterial regrowth. By examining the slopes of those plots, a <NUM> order of magnitude reduction in the rate of regrowth was observed, as illustrated in the graph of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a graph of the concentration of bacteria in post-wash water as a function of the number of PDDA/PAA bilayers of the fabric samples washed during the Biological Adhesion Testing. Viable colonies were counted after <NUM> hours at <NUM> to generate the graph of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, as the number of bilayers increases, the amount of viable bacteria in the wash water increases by an order of magnitude between <NUM> and <NUM> bilayers.

Additional testing in accordance with the Bacterial Adhesion Testing described above were performed with P. aeruginosa, a gram negative bacteria. aureus and P. aeruginosa both exhibit negative surface charges at physiological conditions indicating it was unlikely that electrostatic repulsion would be a factor in any lack of observed bacterial adhesion.

<FIG> illustrates a comparison of initial adhesion of the two different types of bacteria (P. aeruginosa and S. aureus) to coated and uncoated polyester fabric samples before washing. In comparing the initial adhesion across all samples it was observed that the radiance measured obeyed the following trend, (PDDA/PAA)uncoated > (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> > (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> > (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> > (PDDA/PAA)<NUM> > (PDDA/PAA)<NUM>. In comparing uncoated textiles to textiles with <NUM> bilayers of PDDA/PAA, an order of magnitude decrease radiance was observed with P. aeruginosa, indicating that there was a decrease in the amount of adhered bacteria by the same factor. This in stark contrast to the initial adhesion of S. aureus which appeared to remain constant over uncoated and coated samples alike. This contrast can be seen in <FIG>, and suggests the initial adhesion step was different between the two bacteria.

Having described above various aspects of textiles, devices, and methods, various additional features may include, but are not limited to the following:.

In a first aspect, a textile may comprise a substrate having a first surface, a coating applied to the first surface of the substrate, wherein the coating is effective to reduce or prevent adhesion of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa bacteria to the substrate without actively killing the S. aureus or P. aeruginosa bacteria. The coating has a thickness Tc measured, via ellipsometry, between an innermost surface of the coating adjacent the surface of the substrate and an outermost surface of the coating distal the substrate, wherein the thickness Tc is less than <NUM> micron, wherein the substrate has a weight Ws and the coating has a weight Wc, wherein the weight Wc divided by the weight Ws is less than <NUM>. The coating comprises a plurality of bilayers positioned one on top of the other, wherein the plurality of bilayers comprises at least four bilayers, wherein each bilayer has a thickness Tb from <NUM> to <NUM>. Each bilayer includes a first layer comprising a cationic polymer and a second layer comprising an anionic polymer. The cationic polymer in the first layer comprises a polyethyleneimine (PEI), a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm), a poly(allyl amine) (PAAm), a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), or a chitosan (CH). The anionic polymer in the second layer comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), a poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), or a poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS). Or, the cationic polymer in the first layer comprises a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm), a poly(allyl amine) (PAAm), or a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), and wherein the anionic polymer in the second layer comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), a poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), or a poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS).

A second aspect can include the textile of the first aspect, wherein the cationic polymer in the first layer comprises a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) or a chitosan (CH), and wherein the anionic polymer in the second layer comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA).

A third aspect can include the textile of the first or second aspect, further comprising a layer of sodium nitrate positioned between the substrate and the coating.

A fourth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to third aspects, wherein the substrate comprises nylon, cotton, polyester, or combinations thereof.

A fifth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the cationic polymer in the first layer of each bilayer comprises CH.

A sixth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the cationic polymer in the first layer of each bilayer consists essentially of CH.

A seventh aspect can include the textile of any of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the cationic polymer in the first layer of each bilayer consists of CH.

An eight aspect can include the textile of any of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the cationic polymer in the first layer of one bilayer is different than the cationic polymer in the first layer of another bilayer.

A ninth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the weight Wc divided by the weight Ws is less than <NUM>.

A tenth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the substrate comprises a yarn.

A eleventh aspect can include the textile of any of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the substrate comprises a fiber comprising a core formed of a polymeric material surrounded by the plurality of bilayers.

A twelfth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the substrate comprises poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) or polyester.

A thirteenth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the surface of the substrate has an average surface roughness greater than or equal to <NUM> microns.

An fourteenth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the plurality of bilayers comprises at least five bilayers.

A fifteenth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein the coating reduces the adhesion of S. aureus or P. aeruginosa bacteria by at least <NUM>%, as characterized by the Bacterial Adhesion Testing.

A sixteenth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the plurality of bilayers comprises at least ten bilayers.

A seventeenth aspect can include the textile of any of the first to sixteenth aspects, wherein the coating reduces the adhesion of S. aureus or P. aeruginosa bacteria by at least <NUM>%, as characterized by the Bacterial Adhesion Testing.

In an eighteenth aspect, a method for manufacturing a textile according to any of the first to sixteenth aspects, the method comprising (a) applying a first aqueous solution including a cationic polymer to a first surface of a substrate. The method also comprises (b) forming a first layer of the cationic polymer on the first surface. In addition, the method comprises (c) applying a second aqueous solution including an anionic polymer to the substrate after (b). Further, the method comprises (d) forming a second layer of the anionic polymer on the first layer after (c) to form a bilayer on the substrate. The cationic polymer in the first aqueous solution comprises a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm), a poly(allyl amine) (PAAm), or a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), and the anionic polymer in the second aqueous solution comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), a poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), or a poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS). Alternatively, the cationic polymer in the first aqueous solution comprises a polyethyleneimine (PEI), a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm), a poly(allyl amine) (PAAm), a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), or a chitosan (CH), and the anionic polymer in the second layer comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), a poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), or a poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS). Moreover, the method comprises (e) repeating (a) through (d) to form a coating comprising at least four bilayers on the substrate, wherein the coating has a thickness less than <NUM> micron.

A nineteenth aspect can include the method of the eighteenth aspect, wherein the cationic polymer in the first aqueous solution comprises a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) or a chitosan (CH), and wherein the anionic polymer in the second aqueous solution comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA).

A twentieth aspect can include the method of the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect, wherein (b) comprises (b1) rinsing the substrate after (a), and (b2) drying the substrate after (b1).

A twenty-first aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twentieth aspects, wherein (d) comprises (d1) rinsing the substrate after (c), and (d2) drying the substrate after (d1).

A twenty-second aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-first aspects, wherein the first aqueous solution has a concentration of the cationic polymer from <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent, and wherein the second aqueous solution has a concentration of the anionic polymer from <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent.

A twenty-third aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-second aspects, wherein the substrate is a textile comprising nylon or polyester.

A twenty-fourth aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-third aspects, further comprising maintaining a weight of the coating to be less than <NUM> weight percent of a weight of the substrate.

A twenty-fifth aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-fourth aspects, wherein the first aqueous solution consists essentially of the cationic polymer and water, and wherein the second aqueous solution consists essentially of the anionic polymer and water.

A twenty-sixth aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-fifth aspects, wherein the first aqueous solution is substantially free of organic solvents and the second aqueous solution is substantially free of organic solvents.

A twenty-seventh aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-sixth aspects, wherein the substrate comprises poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) or polyester.

A twenty-eighth aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-seventh aspects, wherein the first surface of the substrate has an average surface roughness greater than or equal to <NUM> microns.

A twenty-eighth aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-eighth aspects, further comprising reducing the adhesion of deposited S. aureus or P. aeruginosa bacteria by at least <NUM> percent with at least five bilayers in the coating on the substrate.

A twenty-ninth aspect can include the method of any of the eighteenth to twenty-eighth aspects, further comprising reducing the adhesion of deposited S. aureus or P. aeruginosa bacteria by at least <NUM> percent with at least ten bilayers in the coating on the substrate.

Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a textile comprising (a) applying an aqueous solution comprising a cationic polymer to a substrate. The cationic polymer comprises at least one of a polyethyleneimine (PEI), a poly(vinyl amine) [PVAm], a poly(allyl amine) [PAAm], a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), and a chitosan (CH). The method also comprises (b) rinsing the substrate after (a). In addition, the method comprises (c) drying the substrate after (b). Further, the method comprises (d) applying an aqueous solution comprising an anionic polymer to the substrate after (a)-(c). Moreover, the method comprises (e) rinsing the substrate after (d). Still further, the method comprises (f) drying the substrate after (e). The method also comprises (g) forming a first bilayer on the substrate, wherein the first bilayer comprises a first layer of the cationic polymer and a second layer of the anionic polymer. In addition, the method comprises (h) repeating (a)-(f) to form at least four bilayers on the substrate, wherein each bilayer comprises a first layer of the cationic polymer and a second layer of the anionic polymer.

Optionally, the cationic polymer of the method comprises a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) or a chitosan (CH).

Optionally, the method further comprises pretreating the substrate with a sodium nitrate primer before (a).

Optionally, the coating has a thickness less than <NUM>.

Optionally, the coating has a weight that is less than <NUM> weight percent of a weight of the substrate after (h).

Optionally, the anionic polymer comprises at least one of a poly(acrylic acid).

(PAA), poly(styrene sulfonate) [PSS], a poly(methacrylic acid) [PMAA], a poly(sodium phosphate) [PSP], and a poly(vinyl sulfate) [PVS].

Optionally, the aqueous solution comprising the cationic polymer consists essentially of the cationic polymer and water, and wherein the aqueous solution comprising the anionic polymer consists essentially of the anionic polymer and water.

Optionally, the aqueous solution of the anionic polymer has a concentration of the anionic polymer from <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent.

Optionally, the aqueous solution comprising the cationic polymer is substantially free of organic solvents and the second aqueous solution comprising the anionic polymer is substantially free of organic solvents.

Claim 1:
A textile, comprising:
a substrate having a first surface;
a coating applied to the first surface of the substrate, wherein the coating is effective to reduce or prevent adhesion of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa bacteria to the substrate without actively killing the S. aureus or P. aeruginosa bacteria;
wherein the coating has a thickness Tc measured, via ellipsometry, between an innermost surface of the coating adjacent the surface of the substrate and an outermost surface of the coating distal the substrate, wherein the thickness Tc is less than <NUM> micron, wherein the substrate has a weight Ws and the coating has a weight Wc, wherein the weight Wc divided by the weight Ws is less than <NUM>;
wherein the coating comprises:
a plurality of bilayers positioned one on top of the other, wherein the plurality of bilayers comprises at least four bilayers, wherein each bilayer has a thickness Tb from <NUM> to <NUM>, and wherein each bilayer includes a first layer comprising a cationic polymer and a second layer comprising an anionic polymer,
wherein the cationic polymer in the first layer comprises a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm), a poly(allyl amine) (PAAm), or a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), and wherein the anionic polymer in the second layer comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), a poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), or a poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS); or
wherein the cationic polymer in the first layer comprises a polyethyleneimine (PEI), a poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm), a poly(allyl amine) (PAAm), a polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA), or a chitosan (CH), and wherein the anionic polymer in the second layer comprises a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), a poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), or a poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS).