During the MASK4MC project (POCI-01-02B7-FEDER-050511), which ran from 2020-2021, a new personal protective equipment (PPE) was developed that can significantly reduce the risk of inhalation of viral-loaded aerosols and droplets. The protective effect of this PPE is essentially based on the principle of aerodynamic sealing of its entire contour.
Following the development of the EPI, the main objective of this project (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-181248) is now to refine the numerical modelling and experimental validation of prototypes, to improve the protection indices.
Along these lines, new designs will be explored that will improve, among other aspects, the aerodynamic sealing and comfort during use, focusing on making PPE available to the National Health System (NHS) to provide safe and effective protection for health professionals and other hospital workers. In addition to these, the EPI should be able to be used by other workers considered essential, such as police officers, firefighters, drivers or even any citizen who wants to ensure their respiratory safety.
Therefore, it is intended to develop a PPE suited to the needs of the current market, which has differentiating characteristics compared to other equipment of its kind, allowing increased protection and comfort for the user, namely a flexible helmet adjustable to the face with an innovative and effective ventilation circuit, which is an adequate protection for health professionals.
To achieve the essential requirement – to eliminate, or greatly reduce, the risk of inhalation of virus-laden droplets and aerosols in the breathing zone − the visor provides an effective aerodynamic seal of the face from the surrounding environment.