In an effort to connect our presenters with the participants, WFI is launching a series of posts to reveal what you can expect in our conference. In this issue, we are very proud to present Dr. Peter Tsai and his topic at WFI 2020.
Dr. Peter P. Tsai, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA Dr. Tsai, the inventor behind N95 masks, patented his technology used to make the masks in 1995. He will give us the latest update of specifications and deal performance of masks for protection against COVID-19. Dr. Tsai has over 40 years of expertise in the development of a melt blowing (MB) system and the electrostatic charging (EC) materials for making air filter electrets. The MB and the EC technologies developed by Dr. Tsai have been used in the industries worldwide, making a billion pieces of N95 or above face masks, and many other applications in air filtration. He receives three most prestigious awards from the University of Tennessee (UT) in recognition of his contribution to technology innovation and transfer. Dr. Tsai is entitled by AFS as a Fellow Member. He received his Ph.D. in Material Sciences, The University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville, TN, USA.
Abstract of Dr. Tsai's Presentation
Specifications and Ideal Performance of Masks for Protection against COVID-19
The masks used to protect against COVID-19 are cloth, three-fold, and N95. Cloth and three-fold do not have a tight fit, usually called a mask, but N95 is usually called a respirator. In addition, N95 has a submicron efficiency of 95% or higher based on 42 CFR Part 84. Some three-fold masks like cloth masks, do not have specifications for general use. The specifications of medical masks are based on ASTM F2100-19. Electrostatically-charged meltblown microfiber fabrics are commonly used to achieve the specifications of the masks and the respirators. Charges can be retained for longer than ten years. Depending on the charging method, the efficiency can be ten or 20 times improved compared to the uncharged one at the same basis weight and pressure drop. The measured surface charge potential shows that the charged media is a bipolar electret. Therefore, it attracts both positive and negative particles by Columbic force, as well as neutral particles by image force. Several N95 sterilization methods have been validated by NIH, in which some will degrade the charges and/or the shape of the respirators, while others will not. Cloth masks are primarily used to block the virus. Nonwoven media can block and filter the virus. The combination of cloth sandwiched with a nonwoven filter is an ideal design of DIY masks.
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WFI 2020 Conf