#$%^&*AU2015261645A120151217.pdf#####ABSTRACT An article having at least one surface adapted to kill bacteria coming in contact therewith, the article comprising a substrate and, applied to at least one surface of the substrate, a solid antimicrobial coating that comprises a hydrophilic, chemically crosslinked polymer network which comprises one or more weak polyelectrolytes and from about 0.03% to about 10% by weight of one or more surfactants entrained in the polymer network, the coating being adapted to be effective when in contact with water.