Singapore – Cori Innolab has developed a rechargeable facemask on kickstarter. The mask uses polyurethane foam as a key component of its filtering system.
The outer layer of the filtration system uses reticulated PU to slow particles by forcing them through 3D maze of channels. This removes particles between 2.5µm and 10µm in size. Any particles that make it through the foam are then slowed and trapped in a mechanical/electrostatic filter or a tribo-electric filter that is designed to catch particles of 0.3µm. The two layers are rubbed together to recharge the electrostatic filter.
The inventors claim the masks can remove 96% of 0.3µm particles.
Visit the kickstarter page here.