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.

该项目提出以经济有效的方式将口罩外层从亲水性（呼吸气溶胶/飞沫粘附）改为疏水性（排斥呼吸气溶胶/飞沫），以显着延长非 N95 级口罩的使用寿命。口罩的使用寿命较短口罩通常有 3 层，外层有微孔结构，可过滤气溶胶/飞沫。大于 1 µm，同时提供维持面罩正确几何形状所需的机械强度，因此大多数面罩的外层都是亲水性的，因此大的呼吸气溶胶/飞沫通常会粘附在这些呼吸气溶胶/的表面上。残留在口罩外表面的液滴可能是污染源，并且通常会缩短口罩的使用寿命，该项目建议通过赋予口罩表面超疏水性以排斥任何呼吸道污染物来克服这一缺陷。大于 1 µm 的气溶胶/液滴，这样口罩可以保持更长时间的清洁。由于目前情况下时间紧迫，本项目将优先开发可实施的技术，而不是相关的基础研究，除了实验室规模的研究外，还将对小规模验证的技术进行进一步的测试。这将大大加快向行业（Myant Inc.）的技术转让，这在目前至关重要，因为加拿大因 COVID-19 大流行而对可靠的口罩有着迫切的需求。