Innovation company Ennomotive has launched an online competition to make reusable, protective mask models that are more comfortable to wear for extended periods.
‘Although there are available masks with different levels of protection according to their filtration characteristics, these are very uncomfortable to wear since they make breathing difficult and are too warm,’ the company said.
They often do not offer enough protection, and are disposable, which can generate a great amount of waste, Ennomotive said.
The competition aims to find new more efficient and reusable face masks that comply with the specifications of the N95, FFP2, or FFP3 models. They also need to be efficient against the COVID-19 and suitable for effort-intensive jobs.
Ennomotive says that it is open to any professional, student or academic from different industries and technical backgrounds, with €16,000 available for the building of prototypes of the best solutions and a cash prize for the winner. Moreover, if the solution is patentable, the winner will keep 30% of the patent rights.
Interested participants should sign up at the company website and submit their solution before 9 June.
Go here for more information.
This story uses material from Ennomotive, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
