Design of a self-powered triboelectric face mask

Abstract

Usage of a face mask has become mandatory in many countries after the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, and its usefulness in combating the pandemic is a proven fact. There have been many advancements in the design of a face mask and the present treatise describes a face mask in which a simple triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with an electrocution layer may serve the purpose of filtration and deactivation of SARS-CoV-2. The proposed mask is designed with multilayer filters, in which the inner three layers act as a triboelectric (TE) filter and the outer one as an electrocution layer (EL). The viral particles experience a mildshock in EL due to the electric field produced between the electrocution layers by contact electrification. Four pairs of triboelectric series fabrics, i.e. polyvinylchloride (PVC)-nylon, polypropylene (PP)-polyurethane (PU), latex rubber-PU, polyimide (PI)-nylon are studied to establish the efficacy of the mask. The motional force exerted on triboelectric filter materials can produce sufficient electric power to activate EL. The proposed mask can be used by a wide range of people because of its triboelectric self-powering (harvesting mechanical energy from daily activities, e.g. breathing, talking or other facial movements) functionalities to ensure effective filtration efficiency. More importantly, it is expected to be potentially beneficial to slow down the devastating impact of COVID-19.

Electrospun ultrafine fibers for advanced face masks

“…(j) The proposed self-powered smart mask (1-inner layer, 2-middle layer, 3-smart layer). Reproduced with permission from [ 120 ]. Copyright 2020, arXiv:2005.08305.…”

“…7 h). Recently, Ghatak et al designed a self-powered smart face mask for the filtration of SARS-CoV-2 in combination with textile fibers [ 120 ]. The smart mask was composed of multilayer protection sheets, in which the first two layers acted as a triboelectric (TE) filter while the outer layer was a smart filter ( Fig.…”

Advances in Facemasks during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

“…Recently, facemasks have been subjected to intensive research to improve filtration efficiency, user comfort, and performance by properly designing the material composition. 136 In this section, we introduce recent advances in the efficient filtration and removal of viruses by facemasks.…”

Stellungnahme der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin zum Tragen von FFP- und chirurgischen Masken für die Bevölkerung

“…Hierdurch lassen sich Masken herstellen, die waschbar sind und nach der Trocknung durch einfaches Reiben der Membranen gegeneinander elektrostatisch aufgeladen werden können. So erreichen diese Masken eine Filterleistung, die im Bereich von FFP-Masken liegt [27][28][29]. Masken dieser Bauart befinden sich gerade kurz vor der Markteinführung.…”