Hello Mask will give the opportunity to see the smile of those in front of us because it is transparent and not only: it is also completely biodegradable.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousIn Switzerland, the first transparent, resistant and ecological mask with the right level of porosity will soon be produced on an industrial scale. It is called Hello Mask and the name already brings joy because it will at least give the opportunity to see the smile of those in front of us and not only: it is also completely biodegradable. For now it is dedicated only to medical personnel, but nothing excludes it will also be produced for the general public.
We have all noticed in recent months how difficult it is to talk to people when half of their face is hidden. Most of all it is difficult to distinguish their facial expressions. And for some segments of the population - such as children, the elderly and the deaf - masks really represent a serious obstacle. As if that were not enough, then, masks, but also gloves and wipes, are thrown everywhere on the ground, helping to increase urban pollution already at an all-time high.
Masks, gloves and wipes abandoned everywhere, the new waste and incivility at the time of the coronavirus
That is why a team of researchers from the EssentialTech Center Polytechnic University of Lausanne (EPFL) and Empa (the federal center for materials science) has been working over the past two years on a completely transparent surgical mask. Now they have developed a biomass-based material to make the masks and have created a startup, HMCARE, to market them. After completing a first round of CHF 1 million fundraising, the company is now ready to develop the industrial process.
The idea of a transparent mask was born as early as the time of the Ebola epidemic in Africa, when Klaus Schönenberger, head of the EPFL EssentialTech Center - whose mission, among other things, is to help transfer modern technology to countries in developing way - was working in West Africa during the 2015 Ebola outbreak.
"It was touching to see the nurses - covered from head to toe in protective clothing - put their photos on their chests so that patients could see their faces," she says in the press release.
The following year, Schönenberger started an initial project for a transparent mask with Thierry Pelet, now CEO of the start-up, and Sacha Sidjanski, project manager at EPFL's School of Life Sciences. Finding inspiration in the experience of Diane Baatard who, with the “Au Fil de la Parole” Association, she visits children with cancer in the University Hospital of Geneva to cheer them up by telling them stories. Diane had repeatedly noted how sick children found it extremely difficult to relate to staff and recognize their facial expressions. She then began looking for a transparent mask that would allow not only the medical staff, but also the parents and families of the children, to better communicate with the young patients.
“Looking online you can find prototypes of partially transparent masks, but they are just normal masks with some of the fabric replaced by transparent plastic,” says Pelet. Since that plastic is non-porous, it is difficult for the wearer to breathe or fog up the glasses.
Soon a transparent surgical mask to keep smiling! The team has created a startup called HMCARE to market the masks and has already raised CHF 1 million to develop the manufacturing process. @epflSV
Link to the article:https://t.co/HPnA5M3lF0 https://t.co/EI92Ul8SCh
— EPFL (@EPFL_en) June 9, 2020
EPFL and Empa researchers spent two years finding the right combination of transparency, strength and porosity. Eventually they created a membrane made with a polymer developed specifically for this application. The polymer fibers are just 100 nm apart, same spacing used in conventional masks: small enough to filter out viruses and bacteria but large enough to let air through.
In addition, the scientists focused from the beginning on finding a material that was recyclable or biodegradable. “Our material is 99% biomass derivative and we will continue to work with it until they are completely environmentally friendly,” concludes Pelet.
Once produced, the masks will first be sold to the medical community - dentists have also expressed interest - but nothing excludes that they could also be marketed to the general public. The product launch is expected to take place in early 2021.
Fonte: EPFL
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