A year and a half later after the pandemic, it is evident that wearing masks for personal andpublic health concerns is an ongoing matter, with events like the arrival and spread of the Delta and Omicron variants of SARS CoV-2. Although it is well known that the N95 masks are the "golden standard" for protection, the public still overwhelmingly prefers cloth-based masks, dueto the uncomfortable feeling and lack of reusability of the N95 mask, and the ease of breathingof the cloth-based masks. ASTM International recently published the ASTM F3502-21 standard,which creates guidelines for the efficacy of "Barrier Face Coverings" that are neither medicalmasks nor respirators and are primarily directed towards cloth masks. However, there are veryfew masks that are fabric-based (without extra insert filters) that pass this standard, and nonethat are washable and reusable. The goal of our company, Hava Technologies, is to create a cloth mask that has thebenefits of a traditional cloth mask, such as breathability and washability, while still passing theASTM-F3502 standard for filtration efficacy. To do this, we utilize a novel technology calledmetal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The electrostatic-based filtration of MOFs has shownfiltration efficacy approaching and matching the ASTM F3502 Level 1 standard. Moreinterestingly, these MOF-fabrics show effective filtration after 25 wash cycles, showing thecapability of these MOF-fabric based masks and filters to be truly washable and reusable formonths. The proposal will focus on the following specific aims:1. Creation of MOF-fabric with uniform ASTM F3502 Level 1 standard and ensuring safety during usage.2. Washable MOF-fabrics simulating home use conditions, including hot water and detergents.3. Large area production of MOF-fabrics using standard roll-to-roll coating processing, including a public health survey of attitudes towards mask wearing. Wearers of Hava MOF-coated fabric masks will benefit by breathing air with significantlyhigher filtration efficiency than uncoated cloth masks. It is reasonable to expect protectivemasks with increased efficiency in sub-micron filtering capability would reduce transmission ofSARS CoV-2 and subsequently reduce COVID-19 incidence with its associated morbidity,mortality, and adverse economic impact. According to a recent market research report, theglobal mask market is expected to surpass $1.2B in 2020 (Research Drive 2020), showing aviable commercialization strategy for the company.
Public Health Relevance Statement: Narrative: Textile and fabric based masks have been largely utilized by the public to protect themselves when living their day-to-day lives, but these fabric based masks did not have regulations to guarantee efficacy and breathability until recently. Even with the advent of the new ASTM-F3502 standard, there have been only a few fabric based masks that have passed certification, and none that are reusable and rewashable like normal clothing. The proposed work here will use metal organic framework technology on fabrics and create masks that can pass the ASTM F3502 standard, be washable like normal clothing, and be produced in large areas using scalable roll to roll coating techniques.
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