ÆGIS Microbe Shield

ABOUT ÆGIS MICROBE SHIELD

Antimicrobial Method of Performance

Since the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology does not dissipate or leach, it can not be absorbed by the organism — or by you. With the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology, the membrane of the microbe is physically ruptured by a stabbing and electrocution action. Since it is not consumed and does not dissipate, the antimicrobial active is not depleted and continues to control microbial growth over time. This means that the antimicrobial will be fully effective as long as the surface remains intact.

What is the difference between the ÆGIS Microbe Shield® products and other antimicrobials on the market?

Conventional products are absorbed by living cells and kill by way of poisoning the organism or disrupting a vital life process. They are designed to move from the surface and dissipate quickly. Most commercial antimicrobials used for treating surfaces do an adequate job of killing bacteria and fungi, although most have a limited range of effectiveness. The ÆGIS technology takes a totally unique approach. It provides an effective initial microbial kill when applied, but, unlike the conventional methods, it also provides long-term control of growth on treated surfaces, often for the life of that surface. When the ÆGIS technology is used, it modifies the surface to make it antimicrobially active.

How does the ÆGIS Microbe Shield® technology work?

The active ingredient in the ÆGIS technology forms a colorless, odorless, positively charged polymer that molecularly bonds to the treated surface. You could think of it as a layer of electrically charged swords. When a microorganism comes in contact with the treated surface, the C-18 molecular sword punctures the cell membrane and the positive electrical charge zaps the cell. Since nothing is transferred to the now dead cell, the antimicrobial doesn’t lose strength and the molecule is ready for the next cell to contact it.

What is the purpose of the silane portion of the molecule?

Silanes are extremely efficient bonding agents that can be coupled to other molecules and then used to permanently bond those molecules to a target surface. Our antimicrobial silane modifies virtually any surface and transforms it into a material that does not support microbial growth.

What antimicrobial is used?

The ÆGIS active ingredient is 3 trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride. The optimum application level will vary by substrate, but generally the level is approximately 0.25% of the antimicrobial active ingredient onto the weight of the substrate. As an example, one kg of active ingredient will treat 400kg of shoe liners.

Does the antimicrobial use a heavy metal?

No. The ÆGIS Microbe Shield products do NOT contain any heavy metals. Tin, arsenic, silver and copper are often used in other antimicrobials.

Against what types of microorganisms is the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology effective?

Unlike conventional antimicrobials which typically have a limited spectrum of activity due to the chemical nature of their mode of action, laboratory testing performed on the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology over more than 30 years shows consistent effectiveness against most Gram (-) and Gram (+) bacteria, fungi, and algae. This is most likely attributable to the unique physical/electrical nature of its mode of action. A representative list of microbes against which the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology has been tested may be obtained by contacting our corporate office.

Will its use result in superbacteria?

No. Adaptation studies show that microbes do not adapt to the ÆGIS Microbe Shield and no “Zone of Inhibition” develops.