Development and evaluation of a fluidic facemask for airborne transmission mitigation

[Display omitted] •First experimental evaluation of a fluidic facemask against airborne transmission.•Fluidic facemask is generated from the visor of a filter-covered cap (Air-Screen)•The lightweight Air-Screen is effective in blocking both aerosols and droplets.•Clear demarcation from aerosol-laden...

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Veröffentlicht in:Experimental thermal and fluid science 2023-02, Vol.141, p.110777-110777, Article 110777
Hauptverfasser: Keisar, David, Garzozi, Anan, Shoham, Moshe, Greenblatt, David
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:[Display omitted] •First experimental evaluation of a fluidic facemask against airborne transmission.•Fluidic facemask is generated from the visor of a filter-covered cap (Air-Screen)•The lightweight Air-Screen is effective in blocking both aerosols and droplets.•Clear demarcation from aerosol-laden air is formed for walking speeds up to 2.4 m/s.•Two Air-Screens block high-speed droplets produced during a sneeze or a wet cough. Recently, a fluidic facemask concept was proposed to mitigate the transmission of virus-laden aerosol and droplet infections, such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). This paper describes an experimental investigation of the first practical fluidic facemask prototype, or “Air-Screen”. It employs a small, high-aspect-ratio, crossflow fan mounted on the visor of a filter-covered cap to produce a rectangular air jet, or screen, in front of the wearer’s face. The entire assembly weighs less than 200 g. Qualitative flow visualization experiments using a mannequin clearly illustrated the Air-Screen’s ability to effectively block airborne droplets (∼100 µm) from the wearer’s face. Quantitative experiments to simulate droplets produced during sneezing or a wet cough (∼102 µm) were propelled (via a transmitter) at an average velocity of 50 m/s at 1 m from the mannequin or a target. The Air-Screen blocked 62% of all droplets with a diameter of less than 150 µm. With an Air-Screen active on the transmitter, 99% of all droplets were blocked. When both mannequin and transmitter Air-Screens were active, 99.8% of all droplets were blocked. A mathematical model, based on a weakly-advected jet in a crossflow, was employed to gain greater insight into the experimental results. This investigation highlighted the remarkable blocking effect of the Air-Screen and serves as a basis for a more detailed and comprehensive experimental evaluation.
ISSN:0894-1777
1879-2286
DOI:10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2022.110777