Face Masks Are Getting A High Tech Upgrade : By Derek Baine

A man covering his mouth and nose with N95 Mask

Although those of us that are vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask in California in most places, the medical community is working on a high-tech upgrade to masks to cope with `diagnostics, sensors and even the ability to kill viruses.  Although they have yet to be approved by the Food & Drug Administration or FDA, different models are being developed for the medical community and to be marketed to individuals.  Michael Strano, a professor of chemical engineering at MIT, has developed a mask that actually kills the virus.  “Filtering has its place, but so does just destroying the virus,” said Professor Strano.  It also comes with a thermoelectric cooler that ensures hot air that you are breathing in is comfortable.  “You actually breathe medically sterilized air,” said Stano.  The masks are reusable and will cost just a few dollars more than typical masks.  What great progress we are making on the mask front.  I hope to not be wearing one anytime soon, but it’s nice to know that the next pandemic will go more smoothly than this one.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/high-tech-face-masks-aim-to-step-up-the-fight-against-covid-19-11616846402