The self-charging air filter (SAF) developed by Dr Yang Zhengbao and his team at CityU. [Photo courtesy of Dr Yang Zhengbao’s Group at City University of Hong Kong]
A research team at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) says it engineered a breath-to-charge electrostatic face mask.The researchers say the mask can charge itself, continuously replenishing its electrostatic charge as the user wears and breathes through the mask. This increases the filtering performance in prolonged use of the mask for up to four hours.
Electrostatic adsorption is an important complement to mechanical filtration in the use of facemasks. This electrostatic charge of the filters generally decays over time, particularly in humid conditions.
Not only does the mask outlast the conventional four-hour wear of a surgical mask, but it also benefits the environment, CityU said.
“Although many reports work on replenishi…