When it comes to our health, our first line of protection at the moment is our mask.
Specifically, experts recommend the N95 for frontliners. These are tight-fitting masks that can repel large liquid droplets and about 95% of small particles, including viruses and bacteria.
Then again, even N95 masks can’t protect a person completely. For example, even when they’re tightly fitted, very small particles can still get through the material.
Plus, MedPage Today reports that there’s a shortage of masks in the US. This forces frontliners to re-use them, increasing their risk of infection, as the virus can stick to the material.
However, one small startup is making a big difference. Advanced and Innovative Multifunctional Materials (AIMM) is a tech company from Ohio that specializes in antimicrobial coatings for porous materials.
This October, they’ve reached the final development stage in their project to create self-disinfecting N95 masks for the frontliners.
How does it work?
The research was first developed by Dr. Luis Estevez, a scientist from the University of Dayton (UD).
His solution involves adding a layer of biocidal silver, a type of nanomaterial, to the masks’ exterior.
Biocidal silver is commonly used in medicine to kill any microbial pathogens it bumps into. It’s also found in a lot of water filtration systems.
In fact, NBC states that some cloth masks on the market are already woven with biocidal silver.
However, the silver is not as effective because it sinks into the cloth.
Incidentally, while most N95 masks are made out of synthetic plastic fibers, biocidal silver still tends to sink into it, albeit slowly.
What sets Estevez’s technology apart is how he has a “secret sauce”—a formula he’s not willing to divulge but claims to be able to control the biocidal silver’s particle size, dispersal, and adhesion so it doesn’t sink.
He’s enthusiastic about the results and is currently in the process of proof-of-concept testing with his colleague, Kenya Crosson.
He’s the associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UD.
“Once we have prototype masks in hand, we’ll begin certification and regulatory approvals processes,” says Dr. Estevez.
AIMM
Despite its huge strides in research, AIMM was only created last August. It was established as an LLC in Dalton, Ohio.
ZenBusiness highlights that Ohio LLCs have many benefits, from protection against double taxation to an adjustable management structure.
They’re also eligible for certain startup and additional small business loans, like those from the Small Business Administration.
This type of setting is conducive for growing startups, which made the location ideal for AIMM.
Plus, Estevez got support from UD’s Office of Technology and Entrepreneurial Partnerships, which only helped fund his research further.
During these turbulent times, our frontliners need all the help they can get.
Fortunately, AIMM is looking to help protect them with the help of nanomaterial research.
If all goes well, we’ll be seeing these self-disinfecting N95 masks in action very soon.
