Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternative
Abstract The COVID‐19 pandemic underscores the effectiveness of face masks in combating respiratory infectious diseases and the importance of adequate supply. However, the widespread use of disposable masks has led to severe environmental pollution. In this study, we propose a two‐step strategy for...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-12-01
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| Series: | EcoMat |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.12497 |
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| _version_ | 1850119261332176896 |
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| author | Zehua Peng Zhiyuan Li Xingcan Huang Xinge Yu Michael K. H. Leung Zuankai Wang Zhengbao Yang |
| author_facet | Zehua Peng Zhiyuan Li Xingcan Huang Xinge Yu Michael K. H. Leung Zuankai Wang Zhengbao Yang |
| author_sort | Zehua Peng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The COVID‐19 pandemic underscores the effectiveness of face masks in combating respiratory infectious diseases and the importance of adequate supply. However, the widespread use of disposable masks has led to severe environmental pollution. In this study, we propose a two‐step strategy for mask reuse, aimed at both mitigating mask waste pollution and improving mask availability in future epidemic outbreaks. Our strategy involves disinfection and corona charging processes, enabling surgical masks to maintain a filtration efficiency of 88.7% even after five cycles of reuse. We highlight the crucial role of volume charges over surface charges in maintaining filtration performance stability and durability, and we visualize the underlying mechanisms using energy band diagrams and potential well models. Additionally, we introduce a simple household solution for simultaneously drying and charging, making it accessible for widespread use. Our research offers a viable strategy for promoting environmental sustainability and alleviating mask supply pressures during significant public health crises. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-abe707dc396247749cdc7d0139339bb4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2567-3173 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EcoMat |
| spelling | doaj-art-abe707dc396247749cdc7d0139339bb42025-08-20T02:35:40ZengWileyEcoMat2567-31732024-12-01612n/an/a10.1002/eom2.12497Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternativeZehua Peng0Zhiyuan Li1Xingcan Huang2Xinge Yu3Michael K. H. Leung4Zuankai Wang5Zhengbao Yang6Department of Mechanical Engineering City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ChinaAbility R&D Energy Centre, School of Energy and Environment City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ChinaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong ChinaDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Hong Kong ChinaAbstract The COVID‐19 pandemic underscores the effectiveness of face masks in combating respiratory infectious diseases and the importance of adequate supply. However, the widespread use of disposable masks has led to severe environmental pollution. In this study, we propose a two‐step strategy for mask reuse, aimed at both mitigating mask waste pollution and improving mask availability in future epidemic outbreaks. Our strategy involves disinfection and corona charging processes, enabling surgical masks to maintain a filtration efficiency of 88.7% even after five cycles of reuse. We highlight the crucial role of volume charges over surface charges in maintaining filtration performance stability and durability, and we visualize the underlying mechanisms using energy band diagrams and potential well models. Additionally, we introduce a simple household solution for simultaneously drying and charging, making it accessible for widespread use. Our research offers a viable strategy for promoting environmental sustainability and alleviating mask supply pressures during significant public health crises.https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.12497 |
| spellingShingle | Zehua Peng Zhiyuan Li Xingcan Huang Xinge Yu Michael K. H. Leung Zuankai Wang Zhengbao Yang Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternative EcoMat |
| title | Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternative |
| title_full | Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternative |
| title_fullStr | Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternative |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternative |
| title_short | Electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks: Mechanisms, performance, and a household alternative |
| title_sort | electrostatic charge injection for reusing face masks mechanisms performance and a household alternative |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.12497 |
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