Journal article
3D Printed Mask Frames Improve the Inward Protection Efficiency of a Cloth Mask
ACS ES&T engineering, Vol.1(6), pp.1000-1008
06/11/2021
DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.1c00028
Abstract
Here, we show that improving the fit of a cloth mask using a low-cost 3D-printed frame significantly improves its inward protection efficiency for airborne particles known to transmit SARS-CoV-2. We found that a 3D-printed flexible frame (i.e., brace) increased the inward protection efficiency of a cotton-based cloth mask by 13-43% for particles ranging in size from 0.5-2 mu m relative to the efficiency obtained in the absence of the frame. For example, the use of a flexible form-fitting frame increased the inward protection efficiency for 0.5 and 1 mu m particles by 31 and 40%, respectively. Rapid prototyping of the mask frame geometry and material properties was also highlighted for optimization of the facial contact area and mechanical matching. This work demonstrates the opportunity for leveraging additive manufacturing processes for rapid prototyping of personalized and form-fitting personal protective equipment components at home and at point-of-care settings, such as mask frames.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- 3D Printed Mask Frames Improve the Inward Protection Efficiency of a Cloth Mask
- Creators
- Yuxin Tong - Virginia TechJin Pan - Virginia TechEzgi Kucukdeger - Virginia TechAshley L. Johnson - Virginia TechLinsey C. Marr - Virginia TechBlake N. Johnson - Virginia Tech
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- ACS ES&T engineering, Vol.1(6), pp.1000-1008
- Publisher
- Amer Chemical Soc
- DOI
- 10.1021/acsestengg.1c00028
- ISSN
- 2690-0645
- eISSN
- 2690-0645
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- ECCS 1542100; ECCS 2025151 / NSF; National Science Foundation (NSF) DUE-1644138 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF) Virginia Tech National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NanoEarth), a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI); National Science Foundation (NSF); NSF - Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/11/2021
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984787258402771
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