Once again, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is demonstrating its ingenuity in the collective fight against the coronavirus. To provide enhanced protection against infection, the Faculty of Technology and Bioengineering has developed an innovative coating made from biocompatible hybrid nanofibres for face masks. The structure of the nanofibres not only offers better protection against the virus but also against harmful environmental factors.
To improve protection against the coronavirus, a research group at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, led by Professor Dr Amir Fahmi, Professor of Materials Science, has developed a coating made from biocompatible nanofibres for commercial respiratory masks. These fibres contain porous structures whose size is comparable to that of both coronaviruses and other airborne particles. Furthermore, their diameter is up to 40 times smaller than that of the fibres found in standard respiratory masks.
The reduction in diameter, combined with the use of multiple layers of non-woven fabric featuring overlapping nanoscale voids, reduces the likelihood of disease-carrying particles being transmitted and increases the masks’ effectiveness. This ensures significantly better protection not only against viruses, but also against bacteria and other allergens. “The advantage of the cost-effective technology we have developed is that the nanofibres can be incorporated into any commercial mask without requiring major modifications,” explains Professor Fahmi. Furthermore, the modified masks can be worn without any further processing and do not impede breathing.
