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

该项目将升级医务专业人员和第一反应人员在抗击COVID-19大流行时使用的面罩。面罩是PPE的必要形式，目前是抵御病毒的第一道防线。然而，面罩通常会被患者喷雾（咳嗽、打喷嚏、呼气等）弄脏。并且需要频繁清洁和消毒。此外，护罩的内侧易于因使用者的呼吸而起雾。该项目将通过开发先进的涂层来解决这两个问题，这些涂层可以轻松有效地应用于面罩。UBC Okanagan与当地安全产品制造商PRE Labs合作开展这项工作。PRE Labs目前已经转移了业务，每天生产超过1000个面罩。 防污涂层基于一种革命性的新技术，该技术结合了与表面结合的液体状涂层，即受益于液体和固体涂层固有优势的涂层。PRE实验室和UBCO在过去两年中一直在开发这些涂层，用于工作服和PPE服装，该项目将优化面罩的成熟技术。此外，将为面罩内侧开发防雾层，并且该防雾层已经是液体状涂层的涂覆过程的一部分。 PRE Labs强调，随着出口市场重新开放，面罩制造商变得越来越普遍，支持加拿大制造的PPE解决方案至关重要，这些解决方案可以增强对COVID-19的保护。该项目将为所有加拿大人迅速开发这种技术。

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.