Currently, there is a lack of face masks in hospitals all around the world that can provide adequate protection for the medical staff against the Coronavirus.
To overcome this critical problem, our lab came up with a new concept to upgrade surgical masks. First and foremost, to protect the staff. We have developed a sticker that is affixed to the existing surgical mask, providing extra protection against infection, which is carried by droplets as a result of coughing or sneezing. These droplets may carry viruses.
The sticker is based on nanofibres coated with biocide agents – our idea is that when a droplet containing the virus hits the sticker, the droplet is absorbed into the fiber networks; the virus is trapped in between the nanofibers; the biocide is released and renders the virus ineffective. The sticker was developed in collaboration with Prof. Samer Srouji, from the Galilee Medical Center, and accompanied by researchers from the Israel Ministry of Defense. A pilot trial led by Prof. Srouji began at several medical centers in Israel to evaluate how the medical staff’s adapt to the sticker.
For details: menanolab@technion.ac.il