A team of researchers from the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute in Suitland, Maryland has carried out an interesting study to help fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
Some masks filter particles better than others, and what better way than studying fabrics at very high magnification to determine how effective they are in this task , as scientists continue to demonstrate how effective masks can be in slowing the spread of new coronavirus, particularly when they fit well and are worn correctly, it is more important to know about them. Today we focus on a microscopic approach.
“Embedded in micro-scale textures are clues as to why materials have various properties. Unraveling that evidence turns out to be a fun job,” explains Edward Vicenzi, an expert in microanalysis and a co-author of the paper.
Using a scanning electron microscope, the scientists examined dozens of materials, including coffee filters, pillowcases, surgical masks, and N95 masks. In 2020, the team found that N95 respiratory masks are the most effective in providing protection against aerosols like those in which SARS-CoV-2 travels. And that synthetic fabrics, like chiffon or rayon, don’t trap as many particles as tightly woven cotton flannels.
For what reason?
The random nature of cotton fibers, with their kinks, folds and folds, likely allows cotton to trap more nanoscale particles than other fabrics, experts say. In contrast, polyester fabrics have highly organized fibers, mostly straight and smooth, making them less effective as face masks.
Through their work, researchers have explored the invisible world of face covering materials.
Referencia: C.D. Zangmeister et al. Hydration of hydrophilic cloth facial coverings greatly increases the filtration properties for nanometer and micron-sized particles. ACS Applied Nano Materials. Published online March 8, 2021. doi: 10.1021/acsanm.0c03319.
C.D. Zangmeister et al. Filtration efficiencies of nanoscale aerosol by cloth mask materials used to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2. ACS Nano. Vol. 14, June 25, 2020, p. 9188. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05025.
