“Self-Healing” Face Masks and PPEs

W h i l e C o v i d - 1 9 infection curves are now flattening in different parts of the world, the wearing of face mask is still required, as the item is found to be an effective deterrent against the disease. There is a growing concern, though: For how long can face mask stocks last if the threat of the coronavirus situation lingers still

A team of scientists and engineers is reportedly finding an answer to this concern.

Detailed in the Nature Materials journal, the team is said to have developed a type of biomimetic material that touts “self- healing” properties. It is different from other “self- healing” materials in the sense that it can supposedly “heal” tears or holes in one second – making it ideal for the making of face masks that can be used and disinfected more than once.

Led by Abdon PenaFrancesch of the University of

A “simulation” showing how the biomimetic material “heals” a tear in one second

Michigan’s Materials Science Engineering department, the project is based on proteins found in squids. It was synthesized to have controlled “tandem repeats” or DNA sections which are being repeated; controlled to make their molecular network become resilient to damage and wear and tear.

The material’s “selfhealing” properties isn’t autonomous or “selfactivated” though; it requires pressure or water to signal regenerative progressions. It is still currently being finetuned and studied further. Its proponents are looking

into utilizing light as a way to activate its “self-healing” features.

U n l i k e p o l y m e r , biomimetic materials are readily more degradable making it not only ideal in the making of face masks, but also with an ecoconscientious edge.

E n v i s i o n e d t o b e utilized in the making of PPEs (personal protective equipment) and prosthetics, the new material’s possible application goes beyond the making of face masks, as it promises to be beneficial to industries and sectors that utilize fabrics in bulk.