The Emirates Discovered A Biodegradable Face Mask!

A 100 % biodegradable mask, has been produced in the UAE. The first functional prototypes of the environment-friendly NavaMASK have been built by a team of researchers from Khalifa University. It is an anti-viral adaptive face mask that is completely biodegradable and biocompatible. It is made of nano-fibers, which give it potent anti-microbial properties. “We recognised the need for an environment-friendly alternative to the currently available face masks in the market, (while) … maintaining the highest safety and breathability standards,” said Dr Shadi W. Hasan, associate professor chemical engineering at Khalifa University.

“The first prototypes of the NavaMASK is fully biodegradable. It’s made of filtration materials that were carefully selected to provide effective protection, avoid skin irritation and, most importantly, be safe on the environment.” The face mask has nanofibers with a diameter of between 100 and 600 nanometers arranged perpendicularly, allowing air to move through, while refusing particles, bacteria and viruses.

The effective anti-microbial properties of the mask can guarantee more than 99% bacterial clearance. “It is expected that NavaMask will compete and outperform many of the existing face masks in the market,” said Hasan. “We are working together with our collaborators and partners towards developing a new second generation design of NavaMASK aimed at maintaining high removal efficiency and high comfortability and easier breathability with fewer layers.”