Copper-coated fibers among solutions explored for coronavirus face mask tech

Face masks currently available to the public aren’t tested for virus prevention, and scientists are researching copper-coated fabrics and gene detectors to fight disease transmission, MIT researchers and top scientists said.

Dr. David Beattie, head of Research and Development for Bioprocessing at MilliporeSigma, said there currently is no fundamental testing and rating for n95 respirator and less-effective surgical mask materials for virus transmission. His company hosted Thursday’s video roundtable.

“They’re tested based on things like small particles, air flow, resistance to moisture and heat and flammability,” Beattie said, “but they’re not actually tested with novel viruses.”

Scientists at separate facilities are working on copper-coated fibers, which are “extremely inhibitory” to virus persistence, Beattie said, and light-activated dyes, which can generate a process to attack viruses.

“Those types of materials can’t be tested with salt particles and liquids,” Beattie said. “They need to be tested with actual viruses.

“Another concept being explored is gene detectors, Beattie said, which can tell a wearer if they’ve inhaled or exhaled a virus, potentially supplementing or supplanting blood and swab testing for viruses.

Dr. Jill Crittenden, an MIT research scientist and co-chair of the Cambridge City COVID-19 Expert Advisory Panel, said heat and humidity decontamination could alter the seal of a mask around a wearer’s face, while ultraviolet light may not reach all areas of the mask because of shadowing.

Hydrogen peroxide is “great” for killing organisms, Crittenden said, but it needs to be completely cleared from the mask before a user wears the mask and inhales the chemical.

Crittenden also offered her own daily face mask practice.

“That’s my personal approach, to have seven masks, I label them with the day of the week,” Crittenden said. “I put them aside for each day. Over seven days, the particle has probably disintegrated.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3gxpH7E