A research team from Tamil Nadu has come out with an affordable reusable mask with better filtration efficiency. Though the mask is thicker than the commercially-available single-use masks that are not biodegradable and may pose infection risk, it allows air to pass through the material while filtering. It can be washed and reused up to 20 times.
The reusable mask’s efficiency is higher than the pure spun-bonded non-woven masks and it has displayed 30 per cent filtration efficiency at 0.3 micron level and 80 per cent efficiency above 2 microns, according to S Subramanian from the department of textile technology, Alagappa College of Technology, Anna University.A research team from Tamil Nadu has come out with an affordable reusable mask with better filtration efficiency. Though the mask is thicker than the commercially-available single-use masks that are not biodegradable and may pose infection risk, it allows air to pass through the material while filtering. It can be washed and reused up to 20 times.#
The team chose polyester pile fabric after testing more than 300 materials for filtering efficiency after multiple washes. The material balances both filtration efficiency and breathability, Subramanian said. The fabric is soft and remains dry, according to a report in a top English-language daily.
In case of sweat, the cotton will absorb and retain moisture, whereas in polyester, the moisture will evaporate, he said. The mask can be washed with any soap and dried in sunlight.
The university has delivered the first batch of reusable masks to the health department. The university does not have a large manufacturing capacity and is willing to collaborate with any agency, said M K Surappa, vice chancellor of the university.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
20240830145952.gif)
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "UBM China (Shanghai)")
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
