Development of a novel textile nano-deposition process to increase lifetime, efficacy and reusability of face masks for Non-Medical Key Workers.

在全国应对COVID-19的背景下，迫切需要保护英国733万非医疗关键工作者（NMKW），例如护理人员、公交车司机、故障服务人员、消防/警察和许多零售工人。SARS-CoV-2的主要感染方式是气溶胶颗粒，因此nmkw佩戴口罩对于尽量减少传播至关重要。然而，随着使用时间的延长，水分的积累会降低口罩的过滤效率和透气性，增加交叉污染的风险。这是长时间轮班的问题。此外，外科口罩**不可重复使用**，使其**昂贵**和**环境不可持续**。可重复使用的布口罩通常提供更有限的保护，表面污染的风险很高。P2i是世界上研发疏水/疏油涂料的领导者。我们开发了一种独特的纳米沉积技术，可以应用深度浸渍的保形涂层来保护各种材料。我们的专利工艺延长了口罩可以安全使用的时间，更好地保护用户，减少了NMKW口罩的要求，并有助于解决供应问题。该项目旨在将P2i创新的纳米沉积技术（为化学战防护而开发）应用于一种新的应用：即显著提高由一系列材料制成的口罩的疏水性和疏油性。我们还将努力证明，经过处理的口罩在重复洗涤周期中保持其性能。如果成功，我们的技术将允许英国制造商每月从66个系统中涂层2950万个口罩；足以满足英国全部的NMKW需求。

In the context of the national response to COVID-19, it is urgent to protect the UK's 7.33 million Non-Medical Key Workers (NMKW), e.g. care workers, bus drivers, breakdown services, fire/police and many retail workers.The main mode of SARS-CoV-2 infection is aerosol particles, so the wearing of masks by NMKWs is essential to minimise transmission. With extended use, however, moisture build-up reduces mask filtration efficiency and breathability, increasing cross-contamination risk. This is an issue for long shifts. Furthermore, surgical masks are **not reusable**, making them **expensive** and **environmentally unsustainable**. Reusable cloth masks usually offer more limited protection and have high risk of surface contamination.P2i is a world leader in the development of hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings. We have developed a unique nano-deposition technology that applies a deeply impregnated conformal coating to protect a variety of materials. Our patented process extends the time a mask can be safely used, better protecting users, reducing NMKW mask requirements and contributing to the resolution of supply issues.This project seeks to adapt P2i's innovative nano-deposition technology, developed for chemical warfare protection, for a novel application: i.e. to significantly increase the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of face masks made from a range of materials. We will also seek to demonstrate that treated masks maintain their performance across repeated wash cycles.If successful, our technology will allow UK manufacturers to coat 29.5 million masks each month from 66 systems; enough to meet the UK's entire NMKW demand.