COVID 19-Scalable Production of Mechanically Resilient Biocidal Face Masks from Ultrafine Nonwoven Fibers

COVID 19——利用超细非织造纤维大规模生产机械弹性杀菌口罩

• 批准号: 550130-2020
• 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=701126
• 关键词: COVID; 19; Scalable; Production; Mechanically

This proposal is about the exciting possibility of making the filtration materials found in N95-respirators and surgical face masks mechanically resilient and able to denature infectious pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This research is important because of several reasons. First, the filtration materials found in masks are typically made via the process of melt blowing. Melt-blown filters are delicate and tend to get damaged when deformed (e.g. stretched). If we can make these filters mechanically robust, their lifespan will increase as they will be less likely to get damaged. Second, captured pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, can live on the surface of these filters, feeding off of the organic nutrients also captured by them. As a result, these filters often become 'breeding grounds' for pathogens. If these filters are not disposed of properly, they can be a secondary source of airborne transmission. By making these filters exhibit biocidal activity, these filters will not only capture infectious pathogens but also deactivate them completely, eliminating this risk of secondary transmission. Finally, the method of producing high-quality filtration materials found in commercial face masks is poorly understood. This is because the design and engineering principles required to produce these filters at an industrial-scale are kept as trade-secrets within a handful of companies who dominate production. By filling this knowledge gap, Canadian companies will also be able to produce these filters, decreasing our reliance on imports to meet local demand. This will improve the preparedness of Canada to meet a sudden surge in demand for face masks in case of another outbreak. Furthermore, improvement in mechanical performance and biocidal activity will create competitive advantages over current commercial alternatives.

该提案涉及使 N95 呼吸器和外科口罩中的过滤材料具有机械弹性并能够使细菌、病毒和真菌等传染性病原体变性的令人兴奋的可能性。 这项研究很重要，原因有几个。首先，口罩中的过滤材料通常是通过熔喷工艺制成的。熔喷过滤器很脆弱，在变形（例如拉伸）时容易损坏。如果我们能够使这些过滤器机械坚固，它们的使用寿命就会增加，因为它们不太可能被损坏。 其次，捕获的病毒、细菌和真菌等病原体可以生活在这些过滤器的表面上，以它们捕获的有机营养物质为食。因此，这些过滤器常常成为病原体的“滋生地”。如果这些过滤器处理不当，它们可能成为空气传播的第二个来源。通过使这些过滤器表现出杀菌活性，这些过滤器不仅可以捕获传染性病原体，还可以完全灭活它们，从而消除二次传播的风险。 最后，人们对商业口罩中高质量过滤材料的生产方法知之甚少。这是因为以工业规模生产这些过滤器所需的设计和工程原理被作为商业秘密保留在少数主导生产的公司内。通过填补这一知识空白，加拿大公司也将能够生产这些过滤器，从而减少我们对进口的依赖，以满足当地需求。这将提高加拿大的准备能力，以应对疫情再次爆发时口罩需求突然激增的情况。此外，机械性能和杀菌活性的改进将创造相对于当前商业替代品的竞争优势。