Basically, there is a breakdown in the global stock of face masks, and it is a basic necessity for general population in most countries. In many place...s the authorities have also recommended the use of these masks (or similar) on public transport. These masks, despite being effective, also have some problems like poor lateral fit, short lifecycle (about 8 hours), and have another even more serious problem. Respiratory viruses, specifically SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) can live up to 72 hours on different surfaces. This is a problem since using a conventional mask, at the end of the day we would have a high viral load trapped within millimeters of our nose and mouth, further exposing ourselves to these dangerous microbes. Our approach is to use active (antimicrobial) materials to address this problem, PLACTIVE®️ and MDflex®️.
THIS IS LAST RESORT DEVICE, NOT INTENDED TO BE A REGULAR PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT) OR A N95 MASK. AS ANY 3D PRINTED DEVICE, YOU SHOULD POST-PROCESS, CLEAN, AND SEAL THE MASK IN ORDER TO USE PROPERLY. WE DON’T RECOMMEND TO PRINT FACE MASKS WITH REGULAR PLA, PET-G OR TPU MATERIALS, ANTIMICROBIAL/ACTIVE MATERIALS SHOULD BE THE CORRECT OPTION IN THIS CASE. THIS IS AN OPEN SOURCE FILE AND WE EXPECT YOUR COLLABORATION TO IMPROVE THIS DESIGN.
3d model print parameters
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT NANOHACK
NanoHack was conceived as an open source 3D printed face mask manufactured with active materials. These are s...ome of the technical considerations prior to print NanoHack.
NanoHack Mask is a last resort device with the purpose of offering protection from airborne particles and prevent spreading liquid contaminating the airways. Published data1 has shown that the filtration materials used by NanoHack (non-woven polypropylene, the same material used in surgical masks) achieves a filtration efficiency of 96.4% for microorganisms of 1 micron and 89.5% for microorganisms of 0.02 microns1.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the design of surgical masks do not allow a complete protection from germs and other contaminants due to their loose fit2. In addition, surgical masks are single-used devices required to be safely disposed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends placing these items it in a plastic bag and put it in the trash, then wash your hands after handling the used mask2. Previous published research3 has indicated that the high viral load remaining in surgical masks and respirators, can be a source of viral transmission both to the person wearing the mask or respirators and to others3. This may happen when healthcare workers touch their mask and then fail to wash their hands properly or when they dispose of the mask without proper safe disposal precautions3. In addition, pathogens shedding from surgical respirators onto patients in the operating room, increasing the risk of nosocomial infections3. Thus, NanoHack Mask uses a recyclable and biocompatible polymer containing a copper nanocomposite that has shown antimicrobial properties.