Antimicrobial surface coating formation, detection, quantification and reactivation systems and methods

A method for forming a detectable antimicrobial surface coating on a substrate, comprising the steps of:

• providing a detectable antimicrobial coating solution comprising at least one antimicrobial component configured to covalently bond to a surface of the substrate and a detectable agent configured to effect a change upon being subjected to a predetermined process;
• applying the detectable antimicrobial coating solution to the surface of the substrate;
• allowing the detectable antimicrobial coating solution to dry on the surface of the substrate to form the detectable antimicrobial coating;
• and
• subjecting the formed detectable antimicrobial coating to the predetermined process to observe the change effected in the detectable agent to verify the presence of the formed detectable antimicrobial coating on the surface of the substrate;
• wherein:
• the detectable agent is a thermochromic dye configured to change color responsive to an increase in temperature;
• the predetermined process includes applying heat from an external heat source to the formed detectable antimicrobial coating
• the observed changed is a color change in the formed detectable antimicrobial coating;
• and
• the color change is indicative of coverage of the detectable antimicrobial coating on the surface of the substrate and a possible need for reapplying the antimicrobial coating solution to the surface of the substrate.