The outer layer on Wang’s prototype plays a role in killing the bacteria or virus. He told Nexstar’s WRIC that the team is still trying to figure out how to put the layer on the face mask.
According to Wang, there are already several active face mask technologies available on the market. One idea is to coat the mask with a metal ion like copper, silver or zinc, which can kill bacteria or pathogens. Another idea is a heating method. Wang believes the metal coat has a potential risk of chemical release and poses safety concerns, while the heating method would need a battery or external device to power it.
Wang had been studying air filters when the pandemic hit and he was “shocked” because he had already been doing this work.Virginia researchers working on face mask to kill COVID-19 virusRICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – A team of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University are working to develop a face mask that not only prevents the spread of COVID-19 but actually kills the virus.
The research team said that typically, the masks we’re used to wearing can capture airborne viruses, but they do not kill the virus.
Researchers are using a chemical similar to what is found in a disinfectant wipe, but have turned it into a solid, turning it into polymer fiber and coating it on the outer layer of the fabric surface.
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“This bacteria or virus can still live on the surface of your face mask for hours or even days,” VCU College of Engineering Professor Dr. Wei-Ning Wang said.
Wang said this can be dangerous and can cause cross-contamination.Breathability was tested by measuring oxygen permeation through the mask with the help of an instrument called Gas Chromatography. The penetration of oxygen reduces by only 22% for the modified Eri silk mask compared to the natural Eri silk mask, whereas for N95 the reduction for natural Eri silk came out to be around 59%. Hence, the modified silk mask is way more breathable than the N95 mask but with almost similar protection against aerosol-driven infections.Basically, the technology will modify the easily-available cloth mask into a hydrophobic mask to repel virus-laden droplets and avoid breathing difficulties even when worn for a longer period of time. Another advantage is that these masks are versatile and can be used with other additives such as antibacterial nanomaterial for additional protection against viruses. The research was led by Arun Chattopadhyay, department of chemistry and Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati and Partho SG Pattader, department of chemical engineering, School of Health Science and Technology, and Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati.
Chattopadhyay said, “A cloth mask is largely porous to aerosol and thus cannot effectively prevent Covid-19 type infection. Although they are still better than wearing no mask, an improved version that would prevent the entry or exit of the aerosol from the modified cloth mask was needed. We have worked on that based on the principle of repulsion of the aerosol by the modified cloth while allowing the air to flow through the mask. A simple coating of the hydrophobic molecule on the silk cloth worked well here.”IIT Guwahati researchers develop coating to modify ordinary cloth masks for better protection against Covid-19According to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, N95 masks or double masking protects people to a great extent from Coronavirus. But the drawback is that people feel suffocated after wearing them for a long time. Besides, N95 are costly and thus unaffordable for many. Instead, people resort to cheaper and readily-available cloth and silk masks. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers have come up with a viable solution; they have developed a ‘Nanometer Thick Superhydrophobic Coating’ material to modify ordinary cloth or silk masks that will maintain comfort but offer better protection against aerosol-driven infections such as Covid-19.
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