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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.

该项目建议将面罩外层从亲水性（呼吸气溶胶/液滴粘附）改为疏水性（排斥呼吸气溶胶/液滴），以具有成本效益的方式大幅延长面罩的使用寿命。目前N95级（和非N95级）口罩的短缺主要来自口罩的使用寿命短。面具通常有三层。两个外层具有微孔结构，可过滤大于1 µm的气溶胶/液滴，同时提供保持面罩适当几何形状所需的机械强度。大多数面罩的外层是亲水性的，因此大的呼吸气溶胶/液滴通常粘附在外层的表面上。留在面罩外表面上的这些呼吸气溶胶/液滴可能是污染源，并且通常会降低面罩的寿命。该项目建议通过赋予面罩表面超疏水性来克服这一缺陷，以排斥任何大于1 µm的呼吸气溶胶/液滴。这样，口罩可以保持更长时间的清洁。由于在当前情况下时间是至关重要的，因此在本项目中，开发可实施的技术将优先于相关的基础研究。除了实验室规模的研究外，小规模验证的技术将在中试规模的纺粘系统上进行进一步测试。这将大大加快向该行业的技术转让（Myant Inc.），由于COVID-19大流行，加拿大对可靠的口罩需求迫切，因此这在此时至关重要。