New Smart Face Mask: Lab-on-Mask

Face masks have become a part of many people's everyday wardrobe due to the coronavirus pandemic. Researchers, designers, and everyday people have shown their imagination and creativity by turning face masks into art projects and expressions of identity. While the work on the COVID-19 vaccine is still in progress, people have advised to maintain social distance, personal hygiene in public places, in addition, to mandatorily wear face masks all-the-time outside of the home.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most of our peoples are infected due to COVID-19, they will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. The coronavirus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, speaks, and sings [1]. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes, and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands with sanitizers or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and wearing a mask in your face.

Figure 1. The face mask can potentially protect us from COVID-19 in a public place. Image created by Samuel Rodriguez [2].

Face masks are physical barriers to the dispersal of such respiratory droplets, which are potentially infectious as some contain viable viruses [3]. Since more than 50 countries have made masks mandatory in public spaces in the current COVID-19 pandemic (Figure 1).Prof. X. Chen introduced a smart mask, monolithically integrated with a remote, non-contact multiplexed sensor system, or “Lab-on-Mask” (LOM), streamlining the concept of the “body to the device to cloud” platform [4]. We are pleased to share that Professor Chen Xiaodong has been featured in a radio interview exploring the latest trends and technology around the world by Tamil newspaper and Capital Radio 95.8 FM. The radio recording is available here.

Lab-on-Mask has been featured in various several physical parameters associated with pneumonia including pick up skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate(HR), -all of which are vital signs heavily monitored in isolation wards. Also, it measures the interior temperature (T) of the LOM. Since commercially printed circuit boards (PCB) and the human skin are not completely conformable, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), is the complete substrate for flexible electronics which has been used to embed the entire monitoring system.According to the unidirectional stress tensile test, the Young’s Modulus of PDMS (1.086 ± 0.043 MPa) is 3~4 orders of magnitude lower than that of the PCB and 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of the innermost non-woven fabric of the mask, indicating better compatibility with human facial skin (~200 kPa)(Figure 2).

Figure 2. Schematic of the LOM. (a) Different sensors are embedded in the PDMS. (b) Comparison of Young’s modulus based on PCB, skin, and PDMS. (c) Scheme of the different parts of the LOM on skin. Embedded in PDMS, Young's modulus of the system is more similar to that of our skin. (d) Strain-stress the curve of, and Young’s modulus of, PDMS and the non-woven fabric of mask [4].

The non-contact LOM integrates with three components such as signal receiving sensors, data processing modules, and Bluetooth data output. Different sensors first collect signals from the face surface, and consequently convert and send electrical signals to data processing modules. For example, a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor containing an infrared light-emitting diode (LED), a photodetector, and a preamplifier are used for calculating Peripheral Oxygen Saturation SpO₂, which receives light signals reflected from the blood vessels under the epidermis and converts them into electrical signals to identify vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

To confirm the LOM accuracy, they compared with the recorded vital signs with commercial devices on the same individual simultaneously. The HR, SpO₂, T and BP of a person are observed under resting state. It is evident the HR of this person ranges from 62 to 72 when wearing the LOM, which are typical values for a healthy person. Body temperature is a core parameter in the suspected or confirmed infection. The LOM records the internal temperature of the mask, reflecting one’s cheek surface temperature. It provides a frame of reference for one’s body temperature and fevers. While there is a compensation value of 2.9 °C between the LOM and infrared temperature (IR-T). Finally, they are compared with BP based on the LOM and a commercial monitor is lower than that of Omron because the device is more stable.

Our SNB Team recommended this research article to help the reader to know about that in the future, they are planning to optimize the LOM and collaborate with hospitals for remote, non-contact, and real-time monitoring of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Also, the LOM may provide directly monitoring and deactivating viruses when integrating anti-viral chemical sensors and surface coating. Meanwhile, the “body to a device to cloud” concept aligns with the move towards digital healthcare. At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, many ongoing clinical trials were evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available?

References

H. A. Rothan, et al., J. Autoimmun, 109, 102433(2020).
https://unsplash.com/photos/3biD4LTasgY
N. H. Leung, et al., Nat. Med,26, 676 (2020).
P. Liang, et al. ACS Materials Lett. 2, 9, 1178 (2020).

Blog Written By

Dr. S. Chandrasekar

Institute for Advanced Study

Shenzhen University, China

Author Profile

Editors

Dr. A. S. Ganeshraja

Dr. K. Rajkumar

Reviewers

Dr. Y. Sasikumar

Dr. S. Thirumurugan

Dr. K. Vaithinathan

Comments

Electro-Organic Synthesis: Next Emerging Technique

Industrial developments, excessive energy consumption, sustainable technologies, environmental cleaning processes are major topics of political and social discourse. Current innovations are rated not only focusing on their benefit and utility but also concerning their eco-friendly approaches. The development of green technological processes is becoming more important and requires harmless energy sources. Particularly over the past decade, the severe limitations of fossil resources intensify the movement towards sustainable synthesis techniques with a strict cutback in the ecological footprint [ 1 ]. Electro-organic synthesis belongs to the synthetic organic chemistry discipline that facilities the direct use of electricity to generate valuable compounds. Hence, it is possible to transfer green aspects of sustainable energy sources to the whole production process [ 2 ]. Since the Kolbe’s discoveries of using electricity as a reagent for organic transformations over 170 years ago, ...

Designing of Corrosion Resistant Alloys via Percolation Theory

Canada and USA Scientists have reported on designing of corrosion-resistant alloys via percolation theory and published in Nature Materials on 01 February 2021. Nickel–chromium, Iron–chromium binary alloys can serve as the prototypical corrosion-resistant metals owing to its presence of a nanometre-thick protective passive oxide film. The main key criterion for good passive behavior is the passive film should be compromised via a scratch or abrasive wear that can be reformed with a little metal dissolution. This could be a principal reason for the stainless steels and other chromium containing alloys that are used for critical applications which ranges from nuclear reactor components to biomedical implants. A long-standing unanswered question in corrosion science is the unravelling of the compositional dependence of the electrochemical behavior of the alloys [ 1, 2 ]. The discovery of the family of these alloys were increased its rate with the advent of artificial intelligence, da...

AN ACT OF FACE MASK MATERIAL USED TO PROTECT US FROM SARS-COV-2

“ In the absence of a vaccine, or effective antiviral, one of our only remaining strategies for controlling COVID-19 is to physically block the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the community ” On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic [1] . In the absence of a vaccine, or effective antiviral, one of our only remaining strategies for controlling COVID-19 is to physically block the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. Given that COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, the most effective physical defense likely involves widespread public use of face coverings, in conjunction with other control measures [ 2 ] . Face coverings (also variously referred to as face masks, nonmedical masks, community masks or barrier masks ) function primarily in source control; capturing droplets expelled by an infected individual [3] . Figure 1. DIY masks to protect against from viruses sounds like a crazy idea. source click here In the absence of an...

Novel Approach of Plastic Waste to Flash Graphene

Prof. Algozeeb and his research collaboration team have investigated an novel approach of upcycling plastic waste (PW) products to flash graphene (FG). This method relies on Flash Joule Heating (FJH) to convert PW into FG. A sequential direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) flash is used in order to make a high-quality graphene. In this FJH process, they established without catalyst and works for PW mixtures that can make the process suitable for handling landfill PW. In 21 st century, PW pollution is considerable one among the various environmental issues. A very large fraction of PW ends up in the ocean, which leads to the formation of micro- and nanoplastics that threaten marine life, micro-organisms, useful bacteria, and humans. From the intense carbon footprint process, most of these synthesized plastics are used only once before dumping into landfills or water ways that terminate in the oceans. Hence, upcycling PW to higher value materials and chemicals is econ...

Electric Vehicle: Public Health and Climate Benefits

A research team led by Daniel Peters at Northwestern University has investigated that if we introducing electrifying vehicles in the streets of the United States could annually prevent hundreds-to-thousands of premature accidental deaths.This work highlights the potential of a synergistic solution to reduce CO 2 emissions by hundreds to millions of tons annually. The estimate of economic damages induced by introducing electrifying vehicles (EV) adoption is substantial. With current infrastructure, about 25% of electrifying vehicles adoption in the US can save approximately $16.8 billion annually, has been told in the study entitled"Public Health and Climate Benefits and Trade offs of U.S. Vehicle Electrification," in GeoHealth on 13 th August 2020 [1] . Vehicle electrification in the United States could prevent hundreds to thousands of premature deaths annually while reducing carbon emissions by hundreds of millions of tons. This highlights the potential of co-beneficial...

Electromagnetic Field: Non-Chemical Water Treatment Technology

An interesting review report on “A critical review of the application of electromagnetic fields for scaling control in water systems: mechanisms, characterization, and operation” was reported by Lu Lin, Wenbin Jiang, Xuesong Xu and Pei Xu published in Nature Partner Journals Clean Water published on June 2020 [1] . Water is the precious matter in the world. source U.S. General Services Administration has interested on non-chemical water treatment technologies. It has mentioned following important points: n on-chemical technology promises to increase the period between required blow-down cycles, thus reducing water consumption , minimizes associated issues of chemical storage, handling, and disposal, and may permit on-site re-use of cooling-tower “blow-down” water as “grey water” , it promises to be life cycle cost effective based solely on the reduction in chemical costs , this technology may reduce or eliminate chemical costs, it may not reduce other contractor costs ...

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SPINTRONIC DEVICES

Spintronics is one of the emerging fields for the next-generation nanoelectronic devices that are used to reduce their power consumption, and increase their memory and processing capabilities. Such devices used for the spin degree of freedom of electrons and/or holes, which can also interact with their orbital moments [ 1 ]. However, for spintronic devices to meet the ever-increasing demands of the industry, innovation in terms of materials, processes, and circuits are required. Figure 1. Schematic diagram for major methods to generate a spin-polarised current [ 2 ]. Spin-polarised electrons can be generated in non-magnetic (NM) materials using the following methods [ 2 ]: spin injection from a ferromagnetic (FM), a magnetic field, an electric field, an electromagnetic wave introduction, a thermal gradient, Zeeman splitting, spin motive force, and mechanical rotation (see Figure 1 ). One of the most common methods is spin injection from a FM material, e.g., conventional FM meta...

Single-Atom Catalysis in Chemistry World

The recent interest on the heterogeneous single-atom catalysts (SACs) were composed of atomically dispersed active metal cen ters in catalyst research field, because of the increased atom utilization and unique catalytic properties of such materials, which differ greatly from those of conventional nano or subnano counter parts. In this case, the fabrication of SACs are challenging, especially in the case of noble metal based catalysts and many researches are ongoing in this field for the development of improved catalysts. Many chall enges have faced for the hybridization of controlling of single atoms in suitable host materials, but it has also equally opened with unique opportunities for catalyst design. SACs with atomically dispersed active metal centers on supports represent an intermediary between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. Therefore, understanding the homogeneous catalysis prototype creates a great opportunity for designing SACs and developing related applications....

PROSPECTS ON PHOTOBIOREFINERY

Very recently, Prof. Dr. K. Faungnawakij and his research group have summarized a mini review report on an emerging renewable technique of Photobiorefinery . This is one of the beyond technique of Artificial Photosynthesis (AP) [1] . Despite great promises, AP technologies for solar H2 production and CO2 reduction are far uncompetitive to other promising technologies at the current stage . However, despite an enormous effort, time, and budget paid on AP-related researches throughout several decades, AP technologies have struggled to strive beyond laboratory demonstration except a very few exceptions [2] . This bitter reality makes the translation of this excellent science to practical application questionable [3] . Technoeconomic analysis shows that without achieving the aggressive technology targets, this technology will not be commercially viable. This has directed the research community towards the development of highly efficient yet expensive devices. While tremendous p...

Challenges in Perovskite Solar Cells

The exploitation of fossil fuels keeps rising to satisfy the global demands, since the beginning of the industrial revolution. In the recent survey from BP energy, the use of fossil fuels in 2019 is estimated to about 120,000 TWh . Although the use of fossil fuels causes a great threat to the environment, their role in the economic growth of a country is inevitable. In recent years, the government around the world has realized the engraving situation induced by the use of fossil fuel and began to introduce the policies on renewable sources of energy [ 1 ] . Owing to these new policies, the use of a renewable source of energy such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power grew to new heights. In order to promote the wide use of these technologies, cost effective technologies like Perovskite solar cells were introduced. Between 2013-2020, the efficiency of Perovskite solar cells (PSC) reached to 26.1% and continues to increase, in a far cheaper processing cost than the silicon solar c...

Search This Blog