Mechanism Description

      One of the greatest features of TriMask is its filtration mechanism. Polyester fabric is a hydrophobic polymer that can easily block respiratory droplets from the external environment. Its particle size ranges between 60nm - 4µm, which is highly unfavorable for microbes to penetrate but good enough for gas diffusion. On the other hand, the randomness of fibers in a spun-bonded NWPP filter for the inner layer provides high particle filtration. This is similar to how filters work in actual surgical masks. This is also the recommended filter by the WHO for washable face masks because of its high integrity (The Conversation, 2020). For the inner layer, cotton will be used because, aside from it being purely cellulose, it has a high affinity to water molecules, especially to those coming from the internal environment when the mask is worn. Cotton is hydrophilic and has a soft texture which would be suitable as an inner material for both the comfort and safety of the wearer. Another feature of TriMask is the wax coating for further protection. Wax possesses lipidic properties, which explain why it would repel polar-containing species such as bacteria and viruses that are to adhere to the mask.

1.       Particles from the external environment first encounter the wax coating.

2.     Some particles, most likely nonpolar molecules, that can penetrate the wax coating proceed with the non-absorbent polyester outer layer.

3.    By this time, particles smaller than 4nm are able to be filtered by the spun bound NWPP middle filter, which has an even smaller particle size.

4.      It is expected that little to none of the external particles should be present in the inner layer but only those coming from the internal environment which are absorbed by the cotton.


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Project Description

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Features TriMask is a reusable mask made with multipurpose features and multi-layer technology, unlike conventional fabric or surgical masks. This face mask contains three sustainable material layers: cotton inner absorbent layer, spun-bonded NWPP middle filter, and polyester non-absorbent outer layer. The cotton absorbent innermost layer is breathable. In addition, the fabric is created from several layers of organic cotton that are very effective in removing aerosols with a diameter of less than one nanometer (Cariki, 2021). The second layer, which is spun-bonded NWPP middle filter, is used in both N95 and medical masks. NWPP, which is hypoallergenic, absorbent, water-resistant, and lightweight, is utilized in the TriMask. The NWPP can improve defenses against both entering and exiting microbes. Polypropylene, used as the middle filter in the TriMask, cannott be diverted (Clase, Charles-Francois de Lannoy, & Laengert, 2020). Water, sweat, and other liquids will not be absorbed by...
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10 Questions

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Directions for Use

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