Development of a desktop mask charger

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrostatics
• Public Health

Background:

• Polypropylene mesh in N95 respirators and surgical masks utilizes electrostatic filtration for aerosol capture.
• Exposure to moisture (humidity, breath, washing) depletes electrostatic charges, reducing mask filtering efficiency.
• Compromised mask efficiency poses risks during infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for restoring the electrostatic charge and filtering efficiency of used polypropylene masks.
• To create a safe, easy-to-operate device for mask recharging.
• To explore sustainable practices for mask reuse and waste reduction.

Main Methods:

• A desktop device utilizing a Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier was designed and built.
• The device was used to re-electrostatically charge polypropylene mesh in surgical masks.
• Filtering efficiency was measured before and after the recharging process.

Main Results:

• The developed device successfully restored electrostatic charge to polypropylene mesh within one minute.
• Filtering efficiency of the masks was recovered from an average of 87% to 97%.
• The recharging process was demonstrated to be safe and easy to operate.

Conclusions:

• A novel device can effectively restore the electrostatic filtering capabilities of surgical masks.
• This technology offers a viable solution for reusing masks, mitigating plastic waste.
• The method has significant implications for personal protective equipment (PPE) sustainability in public health emergencies.