N95 respirators | sciencenewsnet.in

Valves on N95 Masks Do Not Filter Exhaled Droplets

November 10, 2020 sarah Jonas Coronavirus, COVID-19, Disease Spread, Disease Transmission, face masks, Fluid Dynamics, N95 respirators, National Institute Of Standards And Technology, Pandemic, Physics, PHYSICS OF FLUIDS

Matthew Staymates, fluid dynamicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is studying different mask types to determine which are the most effective at reducing disease transmission. In Physics of Fluids, he describes exploring the basic flow dynamics of N95 masks with or without exhalation valves. To do this, he generates stunning video from his schlieren imaging, a method to visualize the fluid flow away from the surface of an object, and light scattering.

Research Results

Henry Ford Health System Study Demonstrates UV-C Light is Effective for Killing COVID-19 on N95s

September 22, 2020 sarah Jonas COVID-19, N95 respirators

Dermatology researchers at Henry Ford Health System, in collaboration with a team at the University of Michigan, have demonstrated that certain N95 respirators tainted with COVID-19 can be effectively and safely decontaminated for reuse using ultraviolet-C light (UV-C), a method commonly utilized for treating rare skin diseases.

Researchers say the outside and inside of the facemasks were decontaminated in a prototype phototherapy unit that dispenses a UV-C dosing level high enough to effectively kill the virus in less than two minutes while still preserving the facemask’s breathability, fit and overall integrity.

Research Results

Researchers Create Mask Filtration Effectiveness Hierarchy

August 11, 2020 sarah Jonas mask efficiency, Masks, N95 masks, N95 respirators, personal protective equipment, PPE, PPE sterilization

Infection prevention experts at the UNC Medical Center set out to gather evidence on the fitted filtration efficiency of dozens of different types of masks and mask modifications, including masks sterilized for reuse, expired masks, novel masks sourced from domestic and overseas sources, and homemade masks.

Research Results

Helping protect medical professionals

August 5, 2020 sarah Jonas Coronavirus, COVID-19, N95, N95 masks, N95 respirators, New Mexico Small Business Assistance, New Mexico Small Business Assistance program, personal protective equipment, PPE, respirators, Sandia National Laboratories

A media comprised of a sandwich of materials, tested by Sandia National Laboratories, is being manufactured into N95-like respirators that could be used in local medical facilities. The project originated from the urgent need for personal protective equipment when the COVID-19 outbreak began.

Feature

Hospitals, manufacturers partner with Sandia amid high demand for medical-grade masks

June 22, 2020 sarah Jonas Manufacturing, N95 respirators, Partnership, Sterilization

Sandia National Laboratories is teaming with local hospitals and medical device manufacturers to increase the availability of respirator masks for health care workers.

Announcement

Biomedical engineers to test ultraviolet light’s ability to kill coronavirus

May 27, 2020 sarah Jonas Binghamton, Binghamton University, Biomedical Engineering, Coronavirus, covid 19, COVID-19, Engineering, N95 respirators, National Science Foundation, NSF, Pandemic, State University of New York at Binghamton, SUNY Binghamton, Ultraviolet, ultraviolet light, UV

The idea of UV sterilization is not a new one, but little or no scientific data about its potency against COVID-19 have been collected, until now. Thanks to a one-year, $182,728 grant from the National Science Foundation, researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York are beginning to test UV’s effectiveness.

Feature

Deactivating coronavirus on N95 respirators for re-use

May 14, 2020 sarah Jonas Coronavirus, COVID-19, N95 respirators

LLNL researchers are studying ways to safely and rapidly remove viral threats from N95 respirators, without compromising the device’s fit and its ability to filter airborne particles, so they can be re-used.