With innovative nanofiber membranes, the effectiveness of fabric masks increases to...

The cloth masks that many people wear these days offer some protection against COVID-19. However, they typically offer much less than the professional N95 masks used by healthcare workers.

This could change soon. Recently, students at the BYU College of Engineering, in collaboration with the Nanos Foundation, developed a nanofiber membrane that can be wedged between the pieces of fabric in a self-made mask.

While today’s typical cloth mask may block less than 50% of the virus particles, the membrane, which can be made from simple, inexpensive materials, can block 90 to 99% of the particles, increasing effectiveness while maintaining breathability.

The membranes are made using a process known as “electrospinning,” which involves dissolving a polymer plastic in a solution and then using an electric current to move a droplet of the polymer down through a needle. As the droplet accelerates, it expands into a very small fiber that holds a static charge.

“These nanofibers happen to end up on a collector to create a kind of fleece,” said Katie Varela, a senior citizen of BYU mechanical engineering on the project team.

The remaining charge in the fibers is advantageous because virus particles are also statically charged. “When you approach your mask, you are statically attracted to the mask and cannot pass it. This prevents you from inhaling viruses. ”

In addition to the dramatic improvement in effectiveness, another major benefit of the nanofiber masks is that they allow (filtered) air, water and heat to circulate, unlike traditional N95 masks, which have a reputation for being hot and stuffy.

“Not only is it difficult to find an N95 mask these days, but the best mask is useless if you don’t wear it,” said Will Vahle, director of the Nanos Foundation. “Our nanofiber membranes are six times easier to breathe than existing N95 masks, making them cooler, drier and more comfortable.”

The group plans to make the instructions for creating the membranes open source. They hope nonprofits will use the instructions to set up local locations where people can bring their masks to put a membrane on them. They also hope that other engineers will use their work as a stepping stone to making more effective filters.

“We had our own nanofiber production process,” said Vahle of the origins of the project, “but we found, hey, we have some expertise in this area – why don’t we bring that together and publish a version that anyone can do? ”

When Vahle and his colleagues reached out to BYU to work on the project, BYU “took the opportunity,” said Vahle. In addition to providing funding and facilities, the university connected the company with “fantastic students who have truly demonstrated an incredible work ethic and drive to help people in need”.

Leveraging the latest science to deliver an instant positive impact was also of great value to the BYU students on the project.

“That experience makes things very real,” said Varela. “I am really happy that I can help in this fight against COVID-19, to help people around the world and in my community.”

Do cloth masks work? Only if you machine wash them after use