Given the rise of new and antibiotic resistant pathogens there is a need for new antimicrobials that function via paths or processes that cannot be easily defeated by microorganisms.It is important that new compounds or materials to be used as antimicrobials also must not be harmful to humans or the environment and that they can be readily degraded subsequent to their use.Recent investigations have shown that cationic phenylene ethynylene polymers (CPE) and oligomers (OPE) can be effective antimicrobial agents against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria,viruses,fungi and spores.