COVID 19 - Superhydrophobic Microfiber Outer Layer for Facemasks to Decrease the Airborne Transmission of Human Pathogens

COVID 19 - 用于口罩的超疏水微纤维外层可减少人类病原体的空气传播

基本信息

批准号：
550400-2020
负责人：
Park, Chul
金额：
$ 3.64万
依托单位：
University of Toronto
依托单位国家：
加拿大
项目类别：
Alliance Grants
财政年份：
2020
资助国家：
加拿大
起止时间：
2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=701269
关键词：
COVID 19 Superhydrophobic Microfiber Outer

项目摘要

This project proposes to cost-effectively modify mask outer layers from hydrophilic (to which respiratory aerosols/droplets adhere) to hydrophobic (repelling respiratory aerosols/droplets), to increase the lifespan of the masks dramatically. The current shortage of the N95 grade (and non-N95 grade) masks mainly comes from the short lifespan of the masks. Masks typically have 3 layers. The two outer layers have a microporous structure that filters aerosols/droplets greater than 1 µm, while providing the mechanical strength required for maintaining the proper geometry of the mask. The outer layers of most masks are hydrophilic, and therefore large respiratory aerosols/droplets typically stick to the surface of the outer layers. These respiratory aerosols/droplets remaining on the outer surface of the masks can be a contaminating source and often decrease the lifespan of the masks. This project proposes to overcome this deficiency by imparting a superhydrophobic nature to the mask surface to repel any respiratory aerosols/droplets larger than 1 µm. In this way, the mask can stay clean for a longer period. Since time is of the essence in the current situation, the development of an implementable technology will be prioritized over relevant fundamental research in this project. In addition to the lab-scale investigation, the small-scale-verified technology will be further tested on a pilot-scale spunbond system. This would substantially speed up the technology transfer to the industry (Myant Inc.), which is critically important at this moment because Canada is in acute demand for reliable facemasks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

该项目提出的提议将掩盖外层从亲水性（呼吸道气溶胶/液滴粘附到疏水）（驱虫呼吸道气溶胶/液滴）中，以大大增加面膜的寿命。 N95级（和非N95级）面具的当前短缺主要来自面具的短寿命。面具通常有3层。这两个外层具有微孔结构，可过滤大于1 µm的气溶胶/液滴，同时提供维持掩模正确几何形状所需的机械强度。大多数口罩的外层都是亲水性的，因此大呼吸道气溶胶/液滴通常粘在外层的表面上。这些留在面罩外表面上的呼吸道气溶胶/液滴可能是污染物的源，通常会降低口罩的寿命。该项目的建议是通过向掩模表面赋予超疏水性的性质来克服这种缺陷，以驱除大于1 µm的任何呼吸道气溶胶/液滴。这样，口罩可以保持更长的时间。由于时间在当前情况下是本质的，因此可实施技术的开发将优先于该项目的相关基础研究。除了实验室规模的调查外，小规模验证的技术还将在试点规模的Spunbond系统上进一步测试。这将大大加快技术转移到该行业（Myant Inc.）的速度，这目前至关重要，因为由于Covid-19，加拿大对可靠的面罩的急需需求急需，这是由于COVID-19的大流行。