The Connection between the Effectiveness of the N95 Masks, and the Process of Recharging Them

Abstract

Many might have thought that N95 masks are like a very secure and efficient strainer, where the gaps are so small that the particles can’t pass through. However, N95 masks don’t work like that. N95 masks have 2 defense systems. One which uses gravitational force to trap particles by touching them, and the other which uses a static electric field to attract particles of all sizes. This is done by using polypropylene fiber, which has both a positive and negative charge. There are also many types of polypropylene fiber, with the two most common types being Spunbond and Meltblown. However, the charge on the polypropylene will slowly regrade when being used, with a maximum usage length of one day. This leaves many hospitals with an insufficient amount of N95 masks, but it is possible to reuse N95 masks by decontaminating them to remove any possible risk of COVID-19 on the mask, then recharging the polypropylene so it regains it’s filtering effect again. This will allow the mask to be used more than once, so hospitals won’t run out of masks, and there will be more N95 masks for the public if they are not in high demand anymore.