On-Mask Chemical Modulation of Respiratory Droplets.

ABSTRACT: Transmission of infectious respiratory diseases starts from pathogen-laden respiratory droplets released during coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Here we report an on-mask chemical modulation strategy, whereby droplets escaping a masking layer are chemically contaminated with antipathogen molecules (e.g., mineral acids or copper salts) preloaded on polyaniline-coated fabrics. A colorimetric method based on the color change of polyaniline and a fluorometric method utilizing fluorescence quenching microscopy are developed for visualizing the degree of modification of the escaped droplets by H⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively. It is found that even fabrics with low fiber-packing densities (e.g., 19%) can readily modify 49% of the escaped droplets by number, which accounts for abou

SUBMITTER: Huang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7598905 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature