UAE university develops biodegradable facemask

Our Correspondent

A fully biodegradable, biocompatible, environment-friendly and novel anti-viral adaptive face mask has been developed by Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi. A team of researchers from the institution successfully developed it in collaboration with University of Salerno, Italy. The first working prototypes of the NavaMASK will have nanofibres with strong anti-microbial properties. The researchers have filed for a patent licence for the mask’s bio-material.

NavaMASK will offer good breathability with strong anti-microbial properties. It can be washed and reused several times before it is eventually disposed. In addition, the mask is a great candidate for safe disposal to the environment because of its biodegradability and biocompatibility.

The NavaMASK was made to fill a crucial need for an environment friendly alternative to the existing face masks, while maintaining the highest safety and breathability standards.

The biodegradable filtration materials were carefully selected to avoid skin irritation and provide effective protection and environment safety. The face mask will have perpendicularly arranged nanofibres with a diameter ranging from 100 and 600 nm that will allow air to pass through but will reject particles, bacteria, and viruses. Its strong anti-microbial properties will effectively remove 99 percent of bacteria. NavaMASK is expected to successfully compete with many existing facemasks in the market.

A Malayali researcher

Among the project team members is Dr. Musthafa Mavukkandy, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Chemical Engineering. The Malayali researcher had earlier done MSc in Environment Technology at CUSAT, Kochi and MTech in Environmental Engineering at Pondicherry University. Dr. Musthafa Mavukkandy said that numerous optimization experiments were carried out to capture the right recipe of all ingredients of the face mask filtration bio-material.

The Khalifa University researchers are currently planning to start Phase II, which will aim to introduce a new second-generation design for the NavaMASK and maintain high removal efficiency, high comfort, easier breathing, and fewer layers. This is reflective of the UAE’s efforts in making advances in the field of science and innovation.