Anti-fouling anti-fogging face shields utilizing liquid-like omniphobic coatings for COVID-19 healthcare providers

该项目将升级抗击新冠肺炎疫情的医疗专业人员和急救人员使用的面罩。面罩是个人防护装备的一种必要形式，目前是抵御病毒的头号防御措施。然而，面罩经常被患者喷雾(咳嗽、打喷嚏、呼气等)弄脏。并需要经常清洁和消毒。此外，防护罩的内侧容易因使用者的呼吸而起雾。该项目将通过开发可以轻松高效地应用于面罩的先进涂层来解决这两个问题。UBC Okanagan已经与当地安全产品制造商Pre Labs合作进行这一努力。Pre Labs目前已经转移了运营，每天生产超过1000个面罩。 防污涂料基于一种革命性的新技术，该技术结合了粘结到表面的类液体涂料，即受益于液体和固体涂料的固有优势的涂料。Pre Labs和UBCO在过去两年里一直在开发用于工作服和个人防护服装的涂料，该项目将优化面罩的成熟技术。此外，还将为面罩内侧开发一层防雾层，该防雾层已经是类液体涂料涂装过程的一部分。 Pre Labs强调，随着出口市场重新开放，盾牌制造商变得越来越常见，支持加拿大制造的个人防护设备解决方案至关重要，这些解决方案提供了更好的保护，免受新冠肺炎的攻击。该项目将为所有加拿大人迅速开发出这样一种技术。

This project will upgrade the face shields used by medical professionals and first responders battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Face shields are a necessary form of PPE and currently provide the number 1 defence against the virus. However, face shields are routinely fouled by patient spray (cough, sneeze, exhale, etc.) and require frequency cleaning and disinfecting. In addition, the inner-side of the shield is prone to fogging from the user's breath. This project will solve both issues by developing advanced coatings that can be easily and efficiently applied to the face shields. UBC Okanagan has teamed up with local safety products manufacturer PRE Labs for this endeavour. PRE Labs currently has shifted operations and is producing in excess of 1000 face shields per day. The anti-fouling coatings are based on a revolutionary new technology that incorporates liquid-like coatings that are bonded to surfaces, i.e. coatings that benefit from the inherent advantages of both liquid and solid coatings. PRE Labs and UBCO have been developing these coatings for the last two years, for coveralls and PPE garments, and this project will optimize the proven technology for face shields. In addition, an anti-fogging layer will be developed for the inner-side of the face shield, and one that is already part of the coating process of the liquid-like coatings. PRE Labs has stressed that, as export markets re-open and face shield manufacturers become more commonplace, it is vital to support made-in-Canada PPE solutions that offer increased protection from COVID-19. This project will rapidly develop such a technology for all Canadians.