Indian scientists have created a new self-disinfecting, biodegradable face mask to combat Covid-19.
Ateam of Indian scientists have developed a self-disinfecting antiviral mask to fight Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on Friday.
The antiviral mask coated with copper-based nanoparticles exhibits high performance against coronavirus as well as several other viral and bacterial infections, according to the ministry.
Mask-wearing has been one of the important and effective health measures to contain the virus as the mode of transmission is via respiratory particles that are mainly airborne. However, the ministry noted that controlling virus transmission by wearing conventional thing has been difficult, particularly in densely populated places like hospitals, airports, stations, and shopping malls where the virus load is very high.
“The present-day facemask only retain the viruses by filtering and do not kill them and hence, are prone to transmission if it is not properly worn or disposed of,” the ministry added.
Researchers at International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), developed the face mask in collaboration with a Bengaluru-based company, Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and Resil Chemicals, under the Nano-Mission project sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology.
“Prototype masks having different designs, such as single layer and triple layers with nanoparticle coated fabric as an outer layer have been demonstrated. A single layer mask is especially useful as a protective antiviral outer layer over a regular mask,” the ministry said.
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