Proposed modification of the medical facemask to resist negatively charged viruses.
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| Title: | Proposed modification of the medical facemask to resist negatively charged viruses. |
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| Authors: | Abdelwahab, S F1 (AUTHOR) s.fekry@tu.edu.sa, Mohamed, M K2 (AUTHOR), Ali, W Y2 (AUTHOR), Ali, A S3 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Bulletin of Materials Science. Dec2025, Vol. 48 Issue 4, p1-6. 6p. |
| Subjects: | Electrostatics, Polyurethanes, Personal protective equipment, Polypropylene films, Triboelectricity, Air gap (Engineering) |
| Abstract: | This study hypothesizes that the separation of the three layers of polypropylene (PP) material of the medical facemasks increases the electrostatic charge (ESC) generated from their triboelectrification by air flow. The ESC increases and enlarges the electric field in front of the facemask to repel viruses. This study examined the effect of the separation of the PP layers by polymeric and metallic spacers on the magnitude of the ESC. The separation by polyurethane (PU) particles showed the highest magnitude of ESC, where PU particles made an air gap between the PP layers. Besides, the negative ESC significantly increased with increasing the air gap between the PP layers. The negative ESC was significantly amplified with the increase in the air gap between the PP layers up to 8 mm at different distances from the outer layer of the tested facemask. Therefore, we suggest that the electric field repels negatively charged viruses. Also, the presence of polyethylene (PE) would generate extra ESC on the sliding surfaces due to its electrostatic property. Using metallic spacers showed lower values of ESC than those generated for PU and PE spacers, as the metallic spacers can conduct ESC generated on the PP layers, and therefore, the total magnitude of ESC decreased. In conclusion, we recommend using PU particles as a spacer in facemasks due to their lighter weight and lower resistance to air flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | This study hypothesizes that the separation of the three layers of polypropylene (PP) material of the medical facemasks increases the electrostatic charge (ESC) generated from their triboelectrification by air flow. The ESC increases and enlarges the electric field in front of the facemask to repel viruses. This study examined the effect of the separation of the PP layers by polymeric and metallic spacers on the magnitude of the ESC. The separation by polyurethane (PU) particles showed the highest magnitude of ESC, where PU particles made an air gap between the PP layers. Besides, the negative ESC significantly increased with increasing the air gap between the PP layers. The negative ESC was significantly amplified with the increase in the air gap between the PP layers up to 8 mm at different distances from the outer layer of the tested facemask. Therefore, we suggest that the electric field repels negatively charged viruses. Also, the presence of polyethylene (PE) would generate extra ESC on the sliding surfaces due to its electrostatic property. Using metallic spacers showed lower values of ESC than those generated for PU and PE spacers, as the metallic spacers can conduct ESC generated on the PP layers, and therefore, the total magnitude of ESC decreased. In conclusion, we recommend using PU particles as a spacer in facemasks due to their lighter weight and lower resistance to air flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 02504707 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s12034-025-03493-4 |
