AirAngel: A Novel Forced Air Breathing Mask

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Face masks are increasingly being worn to protect from airborne pathogens and pollution. These work by filtering the ambient air when the wearer breathes in, typically removing around 95% of moisture droplets and particles greater than 5 microns (millionths of a meter) in diameter. Coronaviruses, such as Covid-19, are as small as 0.3 microns, and can only be stopped from entering the wearer's nasal and oral system when attached to a larger particle. Fortunately, this is generally the case when the moisture droplets are generated by an infected person.Oxford Dynamics, an Oxfordshire based start-up, is developing a wearable, personal air purification unit, known as “Air2”. The USB rechargeable design aims to offer superior protection against airborne particulates and pathogens, as well as the ability to neutralize gases associated with pollution in dense urban environments such as NOx, SOx and PAHs. Air2 exists at a concept stage with a number of key elements currently undergoing design and prototyping. Funding for this project will help accelerate the development of the product towards commercial release.Overseas interest from India, home to 22 of the world's 30 most polluted cities, has been expressed and nascent talks are underway, supported by the UK's Department for International Trade (DIT).All product development and product accreditation with take place in the UK, with manufacturing expected to take place both in the UK and India.EXTENTION FOR IMPACTThe Extension for Impact grant will enable the production of a higher quality, higher TRL pre-production prototype that can be used as an asset for marketing and promotional activity. Current 3D printed plastic materials will be replaced by brushed aluminum for the Air Processing Unit (APU) body, for example. The pre-production unit would also be used to complement the activity of Oxford Dynamics in India. The Extension for Impact grant would also permit the pre-production unit to undergo formal EMC compliance testing (in the UK) to ensure compliance to the appropriate electrical safety and emissions standards in order to obtain the required CE Mark.