Indian Researchers Develop Reusable, Non-Allergic N95 Mask With Nanoparticle Coating

The mask can also be used by workers in different industries where they are exposed to high volumes of dust — cement factory, brick kilns, cotton factories.

New Delhi: Researchers from Amity University, Haryana, with collaboration with the University of Nebraska, USA, have developed an anti-microbial N95 mask using 3D printing technology. It’s a four-layer mask that is reusable, recyclable, washable, odourless and non-allergic. The outer layer is made of silicon and the mask has a shelf life of more than 5 years, depending upon the use, a statement issued by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology said Monday.

The ministry said while the mask can prevent infections like Covid-19, it can also be used by workers in different industries where they are exposed to high volumes of dust — cement factory, brick kilns, cotton factories for example. 

It can be modified as per requirement by changing the filter configuration according to the place where it will be used. The ministry claimed the mask can help prevent severe lung diseases such as silicosis. A trademark and a patent have also been filed for the mask, called Nano Breath.

The mask, which has a four-layer filtration mechanism, has its outer and first layer of the filter coated with nanoparticles. The second layer is a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter, third layer is 100 µm filter and fourth layer is moisture absorbent filter.

Dr Atul Thakur, Dr Preeti Thakur, Dr Lucky Krishnia, and Professor PB Sharma, Dinesh Kumar, research scholars from Amity University Haryana (AUH) and Professor Rakesh Srivastava from University of Nebraska, USA, have jointly developed this product that has immense potential as a prophylactic.

To develop the mask, the researchers used a Zetasizer Nano ZS, a facility supported by 'Fund for Improvement of Science & Technology Infrastructure' (FIST) project of the Department of Science & Technology (DST). Zetasizer Nano ZS enables high temperature thermal analysis for ceramic materials and catalysis applications.

It is a high performance, versatile system for measuring particle size, zeta potential, molecular weight, particle mobility and micro-rheology, the ministry statement further said.