Personalized Reusable Face Mask with Smart Nano-Assisted Destruction of Pathogens
| Componente | Categoria |
|---|---|
| Nevena Skroza | Componenti strutturati del gruppo di ricerca / Structured participants in the research project |
| Antonella Calogero | Componenti strutturati del gruppo di ricerca / Structured participants in the research project |
| Elena De Falco | Componenti strutturati del gruppo di ricerca / Structured participants in the research project |
| Giuseppe De Vincentis | Componenti strutturati del gruppo di ricerca / Structured participants in the research project |
| Roberto Pani | Componenti strutturati del gruppo di ricerca / Structured participants in the research project |
| Viviana Frantellizzi | Dottorando/Assegnista/Specializzando componente non strutturato del gruppo di ricerca / PhD/Assegnista/Specializzando member non structured of the research group |
| Maria Silvia De Feo | Dottorando/Assegnista/Specializzando componente non strutturato del gruppo di ricerca / PhD/Assegnista/Specializzando member non structured of the research group |
| Componente | Qualifica | Struttura | Categoria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filippo Pierini | Professor | Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter - IPPT | Altro personale aggregato Sapienza o esterni, titolari di borse di studio di ricerca / Other aggregate personnel Sapienza or other institution, holders of research scholarships |
| Francesca Petronella | Researcher | CNR - Istituto di cristallografia | Altro personale aggregato Sapienza o esterni, titolari di borse di studio di ricerca / Other aggregate personnel Sapienza or other institution, holders of research scholarships |
| Karin Kogermann | Professor | Institute of Pharmacy, Institute of Technology - University of Tartu | Altro personale aggregato Sapienza o esterni, titolari di borse di studio di ricerca / Other aggregate personnel Sapienza or other institution, holders of research scholarships |
| Geoffrey Mitchell | Professor | Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development Polytechnic of Leiria | Altro personale aggregato Sapienza o esterni, titolari di borse di studio di ricerca / Other aggregate personnel Sapienza or other institution, holders of research scholarships |
The COVID-19 emergency has evidenced that the utilization of face masks plays a crucial role in limiting the outbreaks since they can both reduce the pathogens spreading from the sick and/or the infection of healthy people according to their technical features. Especially in this pandemic, health care professionals utilize face masks/respirators all day long without replacing them very frequently, thus representing a potential source of contagious for patients and themselves. Nanotechnology is a powerful tool with the capability to produce nanoscale materials with unique physicochemical and anti-pathogen properties. Taking advantage of this opportunity, this project aims at realizing the next generation of non-disposable and smart face masks by bridging the multifunctional properties of bioactive fibrous and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials. The breakthrough idea proposed in this cross-disciplinary research project is the development of a next-level technology aiming at demonstrating the realization of innovative and personalized 3D printed (designs obtained from a library of 3D heads) and reusable face masks possessing the mechanical strength and elasticity of electrospun nanofibers along with cascade-like functionality because of the presence of smart and light-responsive nanomaterials. High filtration level (efficiency 99%) and moisture pump capability is obtained thanks to the utilization of a bilayer of an electrospun membrane. In addition, the presence of copper nanoclusters and gold bipyramids enable the realization of a chemically-driven anti-pathogen activity and on-demand, white light-triggered, photo-thermal disinfection (60 °C). Results developed in the framework of this project will bring enormous advantages to the entire global community, especially for front-line personnel. They will open up great opportunities for innovative and advanced medical applications.