Hyderabad
CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical
Technology (IICT) is working on re-purposed drugs and is trying to make Covaxin
to combat COVID-19. Other than this, it is also doing innovative work to make
comfortable face masks.
Though a wide variety of face masks are
available in the market like cloth, surgical, N-95, etc, IICT scientists are
trying to make four-layered cotton cloth masks. According to S. Sridhar, Senior
Principal Scientist, last March the director of the institute S. Chandrasekhar
started designing a protective and reusable face mask so that single-use masks
can be replaced. This will help to reduce pollution. He also said that the
SaanS mask was ready within two months with two different hydrophobic layers
sandwiched between two textile layers.
The team has used membrane modules as the
second layer to repel respiratory droplets that carry the virus with the first
layer being 100% cotton. The next layer is the non-woven hydrophobic
polypropylene barrier that has a high contact angle of 120 degrees to create
minimum critical pressure as a barrier. It also helps to prevent aqueous
aerosols from entering the human respiratory system.
According to Pradosh Chakraborti and M.
Chandrasekharam, Senior Principal Scientists, these reusable masks are made
using scientifically tested materials to prevent the entry of small particles,
harmful microbes, aerosols, and other air-borne pollutants. The masks also offer high air permeability and
comfort.
Source
– The Hindu
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