Tag Archives: face mask

MIT’s Pandemic Response Design Challenge winner is a mask that actively scans the air for germs

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A winner of the MIT Pandemic Response CoLab #ReimagineMask Challenge, the Social Mask doesn’t just stop microparticles and microorganisms from entering your respiratory system… it alerts you of their presence too.

The mask comes with a transparent design, which seems fitting since it focuses on data transparency too. The mask sports a 3D-printed frame that houses filters along with a biosensor that actively monitors the air you breathe. Air quality metrics are sent to your phone, capturing not just pollution levels but the presence of germs too. The sensor detects the presence of air-borne pathogens, alerting you if there’s something hazardous in the air. Data transparency goes both ways too, with a temperature sensor built into the cheek-area of the polycarbonate frame, allowing people around you to know your own body temperature… a feature that lets others know if you’re healthy or feeling feverish.

The Social Mask flips the contact-tracing argument by just tracing the air instead. More than just filtering the air you breathe of contaminants, the Social Mask lets you know if they’re there in the first place, and works to create a map of the places you visit, actively giving you stats of what the air was like when you were there. Pretty neat, eh?!

Designer: Burzo Ciprian

Oh No, These Programmable LED Face Masks Aren’t Creepy At all

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Are you the kind of person who likes making other people feel uncomfortable? Well, you’re in luck, because now you can pre-order one of these creepy ‘What’s your FACE?’ programmable LED masks from Neon Culture on Kickstarter (provided they meet their $15,000 funding goal). I feel like this is all going to end like a scene from The Purge.

Available in battery-operated and USB rechargeable versions ($75 – $120, price dependent on model and whether you’re an early backer or not), each mask contains over 2,000 full-color LEDs with an 8-to-12 hour battery life. I’m going to be the life of the next virtual music festival!

The mask design can be controlled via a Bluetooth connected phone and comes with hundreds of presets, as well as the ability to create your own mask design with or without animations and custom text. Obviously, I’m going to make a design of my own face, that way I can be handsome both in front of AND behind the mask. I just saw my wife roll her eyes at me but I’m ignoring it.

[Kickstarter via thegadgetflow]

This washable face mask with a patented micro-etched filter can be reused over and over again

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No matter what sort of medical-grade face-mask you own and use, I guarantee you it has at least one component that needs to be disposed of or replaced every few weeks. Whether it’s a surgical mask that needs to be disposed of entirely or a hard-shell mask with replaceable filter-inserts, every mask out there, reusable or not, generates some form of waste. While some would say that’s just the price humanity has to pay to keep us safe, the team at Vault Creation doesn’t believe in creating non-biodegradable waste as a by-product of human safety.

Meet VoGuard, a mask with components that can be reused over and over. It comes with a flexible medical-grade PVC outer that fits on any face-type, and a unique filter you can wash and reuse multiple times. Unlike disposable fabric filters that get fitted into most masks, VoGuard actually uses a perforated polyester film that can be washed, sanitized, and reused over and over again. Vault Creation, the company behind VoGuard, develops these innovative polyester filters in-house. They use a patented plasma ion-beam dry-etching technique to create 5-micron perforations in the film, allowing it to trap particles and droplets that may contain viral inhalants and harmful particles, while letting clean air pass through. The polyester construction enables VoGuard’s filters to last much longer than regular fabric filters since they can be washed and reused multiple times (although you should switch the filters for a fresh pair every 6 months for sanitary reasons).

VoGuard’s filters were made to be easy to clean and reuse. Simply wash them under running water with soap (as you would your hands) gently lathering up the surface before rinsing the soap off, and your filter is as good as new. If you’re in a bit of a rush, you could even use disinfecting wipes to wipe-down your filters, spray them with sanitizer, or rub sanitizer-gel onto them… Once clean, the plyester filters are good to use again. VoGuard’s filters use incredibly tiny perforations (measuring 5-microns in diameter) to trap particles, unlike fabric and melt-blown filters that trap particles using static electricity. Think of it as a fine-mesh sieve that prevents particles larger than the holes in it from passing through. Not only does this mean VoGuard’s filters last a whole lot longer than traditional static filters, but it also increases breathability by as much as 3x, allowing only clean air to flow through freely, and letting you breathe more comfortably than most other surgical or N95 masks. The presence of filters on both the left and right side of the face ensures that your air is filtered both while inhaling as well as while exhaling, keeping you as well as others around you safe.

That impressive feat aside, VoGuard is a comfortable, portable mask that’s designed for battling bad air quality as well as staying safe from potentially infectious diseases. Its flexible soft-PVC body allows it to fold and fit into your pockets, and when opened, it conforms to the shape of your face to prevent the creation of air-gaps. The PVC outer body as well as the filters are easy to clean and maintain too, and can be sanitized with a spray or a wipe, or rinsed under running water with soap. This allows you to use VoGuard over and over without generating medical waste (those surgical masks don’t biodegrade, btw) or spending sums of money on new masks and filters every time. The masks come in a single size, in classic black and pristine white color options, and ship as early as November 2020. If VoGuard reaches its stretch goal, you’ll even get a free anti-bacterial pouch along with each mask!

Designer: Vault Creation

Click Here to Buy Now: $29 $49 (40% off). Hurry, only 25/175 left!

VoGuard: Washable Face Mask and Filters with Utmost Breathability

The VoGuard is a reusable face mask with a patented plasma ion-beam dry-etching technique to create 5-micron perforations in the film that physically block droplets & harmful particles while allowing free airflow.

Technology Behind VoGuard

Have you ever wondered how the super HD quality works on your television? That exact same technology was applied in the VoGuard filters.

Vault Creation was able to invent the Advanced Plasma Machine and etch micro-sized holes through its patented invention.

Vault Creation used its technology to be the first in the world to etch 5 μm holes on a PET film—a material safe enough to be used in food packaging. Unlike typical masks that uses static electricity to filter, VoGuard blocks any particles that are larger than 5 μm including droplets that carry harmful particles.

An accredited testing center based in Japan called KAKEN tested and proved that the filter in VoGuard blocked 99.9% of pollen.

This experiment shows that VoGuard was able to block a majority of the fine dust, even with the extremely high air pressure — a notable result to consider from the experiment.

Breathable & Comfortable

Compared to most masks which use three layers of filter, VoGuard only uses one layer of filter, making air easier to pass through.

The Testing & Research Institute performed numerous tests and experiments to prove the science behind this unique filter technology. The results show that VoGuard offers THREE TIMES MORE breathability than masks with melt blown filters. Melt Blown Filter Breathability: 349 / VoGuard Filter Breathability: 1073.6

The Breathability Experiment shows that VoGuard allowed the most air flow when air was blown through the filters with an air compressor.

Hygienic

Melt blown filters and cloth masks are classified as disposable because they can be easily contaminated. VoGuard is made from medical-grade PVC (safe for your skin), making it easy to clean with water and wipes. If you’re in a rush, it can even be sanitized with wipes.

The filters are polyester film perforated with 5 μm holes by the Advanced Plasma Machine. It is washable with water, sanitizing wipe or spray to be kept clean and sanitized.

Portable & Foldable

VoGuard is versatile and easy to take with you because it can be folded without being crumpled and destroyed.

Cost-effective & Eco-friendly

Save up to $329 per year by not purchasing disposable masks regularly. VoGuard was designed to be used semi-permanently so you don’t have to worry about hoarding all those disposable masks.

Click Here to Buy Now: $29 $49 (40% off). Hurry, only 25/175 left!

Ditch those cloth masks for this transparent N99 face mask with an AI-Powered Ventilation System

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I guess masks have been around long enough for someone to make them modular! Meet the BlueBreath, an advanced N99 mask with a unique ability to snap on modules on the front to change the way the mask looks and behaves… allowing it to serve multiple purposes.

The BlueBreath builds on two core ideas. A. Masks can be difficult to breathe through, and B. Masks can be a visual barrier at certain times. With these two directions in mind, the BlueBreath comes with two interchangeable modules that solve these problems. One module is its AI-powered ventilation system, which increases the mask’s breathability by physically pushing air in using an internal fan… the other module is a transparent shield, that filters your air like a normal mask would, but gives you visibility, allowing you to communicate more openly with people, and occasionally unlock your phone without needing to constantly touch it. The BlueBreath’s base, which straps securely around your face, lets you easily swap modules on the fly, allowing you to go from AI-assisted breathing to aesthetic face-shield in a matter of seconds.

The BlueBreath’s AI-powered ventilating module fits right over the mask’s frame, with a hypoallergenic silicone gasket to create a comfortable seal around your face. An internal fan module helps suck air in, creating a positive air pressure within the mask so you can breathe as freely as you would without a mask. The fan runs on an AI algorithm that can detect your breathing pattern, adjusting the fan speed along the way to increase the speed when you’re running, and decrease it when you’re idly breathing. The air is pulled through a 5-layer N99 HEPA mask for maximum purification. An activated-carbon ply within the mask helps neutralize microorganisms and VOCs (odor molecules), while a dedicated Eco Scents layer helps generate an aroma within the mask for optimal freshness.

While BlueBreath’s ventilating module serves one purpose, its transparent module caters to a different requirement. Designed to be worn at work, in public spaces, or anywhere where you’d like to be able to interact freely with people, the transparent shield helps keep you protected, yet visible, with a clear visor on the front with an anti-fog coating. The N99 Hepa Filter for the transparent module sits around the sides of the mask, efficiently pulling air in through the multiple layers to deliver 99.97% clean air when you breathe. Dedicated pathways for inhaling and exhaling ensure your mask’s always well ventilated and you never end up feeling stuffy. It helps when you have to use your phone too, allowing you to unlock your device with your face, and easily participate in video-calls should you choose.

Developed in USA with N99 filters manufactured in Germany, the BlueBreath mask comes in a variety of colors, and in three sizes for adult males, females, and children. The mask’s base features an ergonomic design made to comfortably fit all face-types, with adjustable head-straps, soft silicone rings, and a hypoallergenic plastic that promotes longer usage without suffering from mask-fatigue. The AI-powered ventilation module comes with 8 hours of operation time on a full charge, giving you more than enough battery life for a working week, while the transparent module is ideal for short trips to the supermarket, or for meeting friends over the weekend for some safe socializing. By covering the two broad use-cases (feature-driven and aesthetics-driven), the BlueBreath aims at being a mask that has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re exercising with your mask on (the AI-powered ventilator works wonders at delivering more oxygen to your lungs), commuting, working, meeting friends, or just heading out to run errands, the BlueBreath always has you covered… quite literally, if I may add!

Designer: Woomier Engineering

Click Here to Buy Now: $49 $99 (50% off). Hurry, only 3 left!

BlueBreath: First AI-powered Smart Mask

BlueBreath is the first smart mask with an AI-powered air ventilation system to give you 10x more breathability. Its AI system identifies how much fresh air you need regardless of the situation. And its 5 layers of filters offer you 99.7% protection against pathogens, allergens, dust, and other airborne particles.

AI-powered Ventilation System

The micro ventilation system ensures a constant circulation of clean air. The upper air-inlet ventilation valves purify the air as you inhale and the lower air-outlet valves transport out the CO2 as you exhale.

The BlueBreath’s enhanced ventilation system keeps the inside of the mask moisture-free and fresh. The valves are designed to filter down up to 0.3 microns size particles, thus preventing the outflow of all kinds of germs and viruses.

German Made Nanofilteration System

Additional Features & Benefits

BlueBreath comes with 6 colors and a transparent design, which will allow showing your smile expressing your emotion, use the phone face ID system.

BlueBreath face mask is made of high-quality, lightweight, anti-allergic plastic material. The inner soft silicone contour perfectly adjusts to the form of your face without leaving a mark on your skin or causing any discomfort. A smart face mask can be used with glasses without fogging up the vision.

Click Here to Buy Now: $49 $99 (50% off). Hurry, only 3 left!

This Samsung Mask-Cleaner will disinfect your face-mask with UV-C light

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The 0° Clean concept offers a new way to make sure your face-mask is fresh, dry, and sanitized between uses. Created by Jungkwang Hwang as a fan-made concept for Samsung, the 0° Clean is a nifty flat-bed UV-C sanitizer that uses a combination of ultraviolet light and dry air to cleanse and blow-dry your mask. It comes with a detachable cylindrical battery-unit (with a built-in display) that you can easily snap onto the sanitizing flat-bed to power it.

The bed’s space is big enough for almost any flat surgical or cloth mask. Just place the mask in, shut the lid, and switch it on using a button on the side. The UV-C lights neutralize any microorganisms, and the hot air (which blows from the bottom and the sides) dries off any perspiration on the mask, so you can wear it after a few hours knowing that it’s dry and sterile. The circular display can even calculate how much dust and particulate matter is on the mask – so you know when to dispose of your surgical mask or give your cloth mask a thorough wash, so it’s as good as new!

Designer: Jungkwang Hwang

This transparent face mask is powered by a fan that pumps in clean, filtered air and pulls out CO2

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I often get told that there are way too many masks out there, and my response is almost always “there are way too many smartphones, laptops, and cars out there too”. Each mask, just like each phone, each car model, or each sneaker design, hopes to make its own impression, solve its own set of problems, and create a positive impact on the user and help the company earn a fair amount of money that then goes into delivering better products. Meet the weetbe mask, one of many masks featured on this site. Unlike other masks though, weetbe has a set of properties unique to it. It’s transparent, comes with not two but three filters, has an attachable face-shield component, and the best part, a modular fan-unit that snaps onto the filter on the front, power-delivering clean, filtered air to your nose and mouth for as long as 8 hours.

Drawing on the analogy of masks and mobile phones, the weetbe mask offers a level of modularity that reminds me of Google’s Project Ara. The mask itself is a functional face-mask with a transparent body, hypoallergenic design, and certified filters… but its ability to snap-on extra modules is what makes it wonderful. The weetbe comes with a clear, see-through body complete with an air-sealing lining and an anti-fog coating. Adjustable straps help secure the mask around your face, while filters on the front as well as the sides help you breathe 98% clean, purified air. The mask comes fitted with Proveil filters, which are made from nanofibers that are small enough to trap respirable airborne particles including viruses. These filters are reusable, can be washed or steam-sterilized, and are made to biodegrade too, allowing you to replace them easily and guilt-free.

The most anticipated feature about the weetbe, however, is the snap-on fan module. Referred to as the ‘fan osaka’, the fan module snaps right onto the front, pushing air through the anterior filter to create positive air pressure inside the mask. Built with its own lithium-ion battery, the fan works for 8 hours on a full charge and works silently. The module is smaller and lighter than you’d think, still retaining the mask’s transparent appeal, and is perfect for snapping on while exercising, jogging, or even for elderly people who find it difficult to breathe through a mask. Backers of the weetbe can even opt in for the ‘screen osaka’ a snap-on-snap-off face shield made from clear polycarbonate, offering a pristine, see-through barrier that protects the upper half of your face. The screen sports a similar anti-fogging feature, making sure your view isn’t ever obstructed by condensation.

Other features of the weetbe include its ability to be customized, with a custom skin you can apply on the inside of the mask, turning its transparent body into a canvas of print. The head-bands are customizable too, allowing you to add a name or company logo on. The weetbe is even splash-resistant, which means you can easily wear it out in the rain… and its transparent design, aside from enabling you to use facial unlocking on your phone, just gives you the freedom to breathe clean air and be protected without having your face concealed by opaque fabric or plastic. Besides, it helps to be able to smile at friends, neighbors, and other people too!

Designer: Weetbe Mask

Click Here to Buy Now: $30 $75 (60% off). Hurry, only 60 left!

weetbe – Transparent Face Mask with Attachable Shield & Fan

weetbe is an all in one transparent face mask that comes with three filters, has an attachable face-shield component, and a modular fan-unit that snaps onto the filter delivering clean, filtered air to your nose and mouth for as long as 8 hours.

fan osaka – Snap-on Fan Module

screen osaka – Attachable Face Shield

Designed to give extra protection to doctors, nurses, waiters/waitresses who are in constant contact with the public.

Transparent Design

The transparent design enhances visual communication between people. In addition, it makes listening and lip-reading easier for the hearing impaired.

+98% Air Filtration

Creative Process & Prototypes

Click Here to Buy Now: $30 $75 (60% off). Hurry, only 60 left!

Face mask with a gold and silver filters instantly destroys germs to give you 99% clean, healthy air

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The Breeze face-mask’s backstory has a very “necessity is the mother of invention” drift to it. Imagine, for one second, the kind of risk a journalist or reporter has to take to cover a potentially dangerous story. Whether it’s reporting from a protest site, a war-zone, or even an area struck by a pandemic, these reporters and their crews really put their life on the line to cover the news, and it’s something the cofounder of Artech (a videographer by profession), saw himself doing often. Realizing once the pandemic hit that this was the new normal, he brought together the talent and expertise behind his company Artech, and began working on the Breeze… a mask that he felt would work incredibly in every scenario… be it an area with bad air quality, a dust-and-smoke-filled war zone, or just having to step out during a pandemic. The Breeze’s revolutionary design comes with a few unusual features unique to this one mask. For starters, it’s crafted from an outer fabric that’s naturally cooling, allowing you to breathe easy without the warm breath making the lower half of your face uncomfortable, but its most notable feature is the presence of an inner layer made from silver and 24-karat gold. Coupled together with an N95 filter to trap particulate matter, this unique lining made from precious metals is inherently anti-microbial and instantly destroys any germs that come in contact with it. This allows the Breeze face-mask to actively auto-sterilize itself, keeping it germ-free and allowing it to give you clean, pure, and healthy air.

Designed by a videographer who often had to wear masks for hours while working, the Breeze was first and foremost crafted to fit comfortably around your face, letting you wear it for a long time. Its wraparound style allows you to wear it around your head (instead of around your ears), and a velcro fastening system gives you the freedom of wearing it around caps, ponytails, hair-buns, and even turbans. The comfortable fit allows the Breeze to sit on your face almost like a second skin, giving you hours of use without any “mask fatigue”. The mask uses an 80-20 blend of polyester and polyamide to help it regulate temperature. A simple spritz of water on the outside of the mask helps bring its temperature down as you breathe, giving it a cooling effect. The mask comes in variants with and without air-valves. The air-valves direct the flow of air as you breathe, filtering in the air from one side, and out the other, thanks to replaceable N99 filter inserts. This double filtration system makes the mask safe for you as well as the people around you. Both valve and valve-less versions of the mask come with the unique silver+gold mesh layer along with a standard N95 filter lining to trap microparticles and kill microorganisms.

Any air you breathe passes through the Breeze’s gold and silver-plated bactericide filters. Designed to instantly neutralize a host of bacteria, fungi, and even certain viruses, the 24K gold in Breeze triggers a galvanic reaction resulting in the emission of silver ions that can go on to disinfect and actively sterilize the mask and the air. The N95 filter performs a second round of cleaning, trapping particulate matter to bring the air’s purity to 99.8%. The mask is both washable and reusable, and the gold+silver filters can simply be cleaned by rinsing them under running water. Other pretty clever features include an outward-facing valve design that directs your voice sideways, letting you talk on the phone right through the mask, a secure, ergonomic nose-arch that ensures a tight fit (preventing ‘foggy spectacle syndrome’), and an optional magnetic face-shield that snaps onto the top of the mask, effectively covering your eyes with a clear visor. Combine all these features and you get a mask that is greater than the sum of its parts. The Breeze face mask filters and disinfects air while also being able to cool your face. Its secure fit prevents your glasses from fogging up, while the zero-pressure adjustable velcro straps work on every face-type, giving you a comfortable fit that can see you through hours of usage. Plus, its flexible fabric construction means you can easily carry the Breeze with you in your pocket wherever you go, no matter whether you’re in a polluted city, on a busy intersection with cars, a factory with emissions, a grocery store with barely any ventilation, or just anywhere you’d need to have a mask on you.

Designer: Artech

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $59 (34% off). Hurry, less than 12 hours to go! Raised over $400,000.

Breeze – The Face Mask with Gold & Silver Filters

The Breeze is equipped with inherently antimicrobial silver galvanic filters, face cooling technology, exhaled air filtration, and “clear sound” valves for phone calls. An optional magnetic eye shield & a no-valve design is available.

The Breeze with no valves.

12 Unique Features

Made from a special cooling material, sprinkle Breeze with water and it’ll keep your face cool during the summer heat.

Silver has been used for millennia to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. But it is the positively charged silver ions (Ag+) that possess the antimicrobial effect. Pure 24K gold in Breeze triggers a galvanic reaction and an intensive emission of silver ions.

The Breeze is windproof and shaped to direct the sound of your voice directly to your phone in case you need to take a call while wearing a face mask.

Breeze mask is created with “human engineering” in mind. They implemented zero-pressure ear-saving adjustable straps and an ergonomic nose arch.

Breeze is equipped with N99 exhalation filters, paired with gold / silver reusable galvanic filters. They filter the air you exhale in case you worry about your family and friends.

Breeze is a glasses-friendly mask. Filtered exhaled air substantially reduces fogging up.

Travel ban may be lifted soon, but wearing face masks became a new normal. While Breeze is not a medical device, it is inherently antimicrobial and designed to filter air more effectively than most existing masks. According to the CDC, masks significantly reduce the risk of infection.

All silver and gold filters in Breeze are washable and made to last. The outside shell is also washable and made from very durable polyester and polyamide blend.

Breeze is compatible with widely available and inexpensive standard N95 filters.

Compact and Weightless.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $59 (34% off). Hurry, less than 12 hours to go! Raised over $400,000.

Instacart will cover the cost of its shoppers’ COVID-19 screenings

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Instacart will cover the cost of COVID-19 screenings and virtual medical appointments for shoppers until the end of the year. The company ran a pilot project on that front earlier in the summer in Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, and now it’s rolling...

Portable sanitizer bottle comes with a UV chamber to store/disinfect your face mask

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Designed to cover the important bases, the SaniCase holds/disinfects your face mask, and even dispenses hand-sanitizer, all in a product that’s roughly the size of a roll of quarters.

Milan-based Salvo Lo Cascio designed the SaniCase as a response to a common problem he saw with people who wore masks. During brief intervals when they took their mask off to eat or drink, they’d often end up putting their masks on tables, armrests, or back in their pockets along with their phone and keys. Designed to give people a place to safely store their masks when not in use, the SaniCase comes with a cylindrical compartment lined with UV-C lights on the inside. When you don’t need the mask, just slip it into its protective casing and it’ll get sanitized too. Speaking of which, the base of the SaniCase even has a push-to-deploy hand-sanitizer bottle on it, allowing you to periodically clean your hands too. By helping disinfect your hands as well as your face-mask, the SaniCase covers all the critical areas to prevent germs from accidentally entering your system. Besides, its portable avatar and optional lanyard make it really easy to carry around with you!

Salvo Lo Cascio developed the SaniCase as a concept to address a common problem, but the designer is now working with vendors, producers, and partners to help bring his idea to life!

Designer: Salvo Lo Cascio