Indian Students Make Algae-Based Masks That Block 99.3% Harmful Gases

Dhir Acharya - Jun 08, 2020

The mask can also filter out 0.44-10 micrometer particles thanks to its four filter layers. It's reusable and helps wearers breather normally.

One of the major changes that COVID-19 has brought to the world is how we commute on the road: everyone now wears a mask. The face mask has become the most important gear for all of us whenever we leave our home, it helps healthy people avoid getting the coronavirus and prevent an infected person from spreading the virus.

People use a variety of face masks, from N95 to home-made, cloth masks. But wearing a mask all the time can make it harder to breathe. Therefore, students from Lovely Professional University have created a face mask that allows wearers to breathe normally.

Due to COVID-19, the face mask has become an inseparable gear we leave home — Due to COVID-19, face masks have become an inseparable gear we leave home

Dubbed Oxigeno, the novel face mask is made of algae that helps eliminate 99.3% of harmful gases and particulate matter while letting more oxygen through. Algae consist of photosynthesis, like in plants, helping remove CO2 as well as other pollutants.

The mask can also filter out 0.44-10 micrometer particles thanks to its four filter layers that feature HEPA filter that helps separate out dust particles. In addition, there is an Activated Carbon filter for leaving out odors and VOC, along with SOx and NOx filter for leaving out harmful air pollutants, And the fourth layer is the PTFE (Teflon) Filter that prevents particles up to 0.44 micrometers in size.

Oxigeno face mask — The Oxigeno can block contaminants, dust, and harmful particles

Yet, the best thing about the Oxigeno is that it can be reused. You just need to change the filter after every 2 days of use or a month, whichever comes first. Besides, the housing on the mask is made of PLA-Active, a biodegradable and antimicrobial plastic that prevents bacteria and contaminants from growing on its surface.

For a comfortable experience when people wear the mask, the creators have applied a silicon membrane around the mouth and nose area of the respirator to make it feel gentler on the wearer’s skin.

The creators behind the Oxigeno include Manish Kotni, Anant Kumar Rajput, and Deepak Deb, under the guidance of their professor Dr Jastin Samuel. The mask may come at a price of Rs 3,600 and could be 30-40% cheaper when it’s mass-produced.