FRONTLINE PROTECTION

By inventing the N95 masks that medical workers have been wearing to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19, Peter Tsai’s work has been significant in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. But the material scientist and engineer went one step further by coming out of retirement to find a way to sterilise them.

The masks have been essential for healthcare workers with their virus-blocking technology. But with the masks only being able to be used once, N95s have been in short supply.

Tsai invented the filters on the masks in 1992 that block out viral particles. “My invention was just to improve the filter. It’s not a special invention,” he told NPR. The N95 masks are designed to achieve a very close facial fit and efficient filtration of airborne particles.

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Tsai has had his inbox flooded with queries over how to sterilise the masks. Despite retiring from the University of Tennessee last year, Tsai has consulted with researchers studying safe ways to disinfect the masks for reuse.

Tsai is humble about his return to research, telling NPR, “I just want to help people, and just do my job”. He said, “The frontline hospital workers — they are heroes. I’m just trying to help them to wear the mask.”

“I JUST WANT TO HELP PEOPLE AND DO MY JOB. THE HOSPITAL WORKERS – THEY ARE HEROES.” PETER TSAI