EVERFILTER: Active photocatalytic nanostructured reusable filter for half and full-face masks
Labor
Presentation video: EVERFILTER
Final Report video: EVERFILTER Final Report
According to EU Commission Recommendation 2020/403, only disposable FFP2 or equivalent filtering half-masks can be used to protect the wearer against SARS-CoV-2. The main problem is the mismanagement of disposable masks, with a monthly estimated use of 129 billion globally[1], that is resulting in widespread environmental contamination.
The challenge is to shift paradigm from disposable to reusable masks. Reusable half and full-face masks are filtering respirators equipped with replaceable encapsulated filters, mainly used, before COVID-19 pandemic, in industrial and healthcare environments where workers could potentially be exposed to particulate hazards. While it is possible to decontaminate the respirator and the hard-outer casing of filters, the filter material itself typically cannot be disinfected against viruses and bacteria for reuse.
A new generation of reusable filters, able to withstand hundreds of disinfection cycles, keeping at the same time the highest microbiological quality and filtration efficiency is highly desirable but not available in the market.
We aim to bring to the market a ground-breaking nanostructured reusable filter – EVERFILTER – manufactured by electrospinning technology, able to perform on-duty and off-duty viruses and bacteria auto-disinfection.
EVERFILTER, qualified in the P2 filtration efficiency range, is functionalized at nanoscale level by means of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), a mineral photocatalytic material embedded in form of nanoparticles intruded in the electrospun fibers, which, activated by UVA radiation, provide self-disinfection capabilities. EVERFILTER, equipped by UVA emitting LEDs, handles hundreds of disinfection cycles without compromising its filtration efficiency.