The use of transparent face masks may be better than surgical face masks, say researchers from Japan. While face masks have been effective at controlling the spread of the coronavirus, they also conceal much of the face, making it hard to communicate and interact as we once did. Instead, transparent face masks can allow for the perception of facial expressions and simultaneously suppress aerial dispersion of infectious substances.

A vast majority of studies on the effects of face masks on perceptions on facial expressions have been conducted on populations based in Western countries – the cues used for comprehending facial expressions differ from East to West, so researchers led by Professor Jun Kawahara at Hokkaido University and Associate Professor Yuki Miyazaki at Fukuyama University wished to see if the findings from the West could be applied to the East.

The researchers conducted two separate experiments using database-sourced images of female faces and male faces, expressing a range of expressions. The images were manipulated so that each image was available in three versions: without a mask, with a surgical mask, and with a transparent mask. Volunteers viewed a random series of images, one at a time, and were asked to determine the facial expression in each image.

Surgical masks were found to disrupt the perception of facial expressions and made these expressions harder to recognise – the ability to distinguish fear and happiness were the most affected, with happy faces being primarily misclassified as neutral, and fearful faces being misclassified as angry or surprised.

However, in both experiments, the use of transparent masks did not cause any negative effect on perception of facial expressions. In both experiments, the perception of facial emotion was not influenced by the sex of the participants or the face models.

The researchers thus conclude that transparent face masks, which suppress respiratory droplets that spread the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus, do not occlude facial expressions.

Disposable protective equipment – including face masks – while useful, is estimated to cause massive pollution to the environment. The trace chemicals contained is said to not only affect water and air quality and wildlife health but are also small enough to enter our lungs and bloodstream and cause long-term complications.

To reduce the environmental toll associated with disposable face masks, a Malaysian agency has introduced AiruFlo, a modular face mask that ensures superior protection, breathability, and comfort to its users. The sustainable AiruFlo mask is washable and can be reused, provided the filters are changed periodically.

AiruFlo aims to educate Malaysians on more sustainable face mask options that will not add to the current environmental waste: it is made of biocompatible, food-grade silicone that allows easy folding and is resistant to hard impacts.

Having undergone material development and surface modification utilising nanotechnology, the mask’s silicone body is smooth and transparent, making it exceptionally comfortable when used; and is equipped with adjustable straps which allows for convenient safekeeping.

Furthermore, it includes replaceable N95 grade filters that guard against 95% of 0.3µm particles and dust. This, combined with the fact that it provides a perfect seal, makes it highly suitable for complete protection against germs, bacteria, and pollution without the need for double masking.

Read: Mask sensor to detect and track coronavirus in development

“There are numerous face masks out there in the market with various specifications to fit the preferences of diverse groups of people, and we quickly realised that there is a need for a mask that does it all. Many are looking for masks that check multiple boxes – fashionable, highly breathable, sustainable and unharmful to the environment,” said Vince Koay, Co-founder of AiruFlo.

“It can be challenging to find one that meets all expectations in the market and that is what our team of highly innovative industrial engineers have set out to address with AiruFlo. More than protection, the transparency of AiruFlo masks plays a crucial role in allowing users to communicate effectively using facial queues, particularly for those who have hearing difficulties or require speech therapy.”

AiruFlo masks are designed to meet international hygiene and protective standards – it has been approved for use by the US Food and Drug administration (FDA) and Malaysia’s Medical Device Authority (MDA).

Further information and credentials may be assessed on the company website, www.airuflo.com/

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has been awarded US$1.3 million by The National Institutes of Health to develop a mask sensor that detects the presence of the novel coronavirus. The lightweight sensor would be attached to face masks to monitor a person’s breath or saliva for virus-related molecules.

The sensor will also detect virus molecules expelled by someone else and possibly inhaled by the wearer of the mask.

“This would be a way of identifying outbreaks early. We’re repurposing something that people are already wearing to sort of monitor the environment,”said Jesse Jokerst, professor of nanoengineering at UCSD.

Read: U of T researchers develop reusable, sustainable surgical mask

The sensor, contained in a test strip, is designed to change colour when squeezed by the wearer, denoting a positive reading. The wearer will then have to take a test to confirm the infection.

The initial process is similar to the one used to check results in a home pregnancy test, and is meant to be useful in contact tracing.

UCSD has developed a variety of sensors to detect the spread of the coronavirus – it expects the mask sensor to be ready for use later this year.

UCSD began placing sensors in its waste water system last year, to monitor for the presence of the virus in sewage coming out of specific buildings. When there’s a positive reading, UCSD alerts people who might have been using the buildings at specific times and asks them to get a COVID-19 test.

The early warning system is the largest of its kind at an American university and is likely to be in use for quite a while.

A study has revealed that wearing a three-layer cloth face mask does not compromise exercise performance or affect blood and muscle oxygenation levels during strenuous exercise, especially by healthy individuals.

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan (USask), Canada, evaluated use of a three-layer cloth face mask in 14 physically active and healthy men and women. The USask study controlled for the effects of diet, previous physical activity, and sleep during the 24 hours prior to the test.

The exercise test itself involved a progressive increase in the intensity on a stationary bike while participants maintained a required pedal rate; the test was over once they could not sustain the pedal rate.

The test was carried out three times for each participant, once wearing a surgical face mask, once wearing a cloth face mask and once with no face mask. The team recorded the participants’ blood oxygen levels and muscle oxygen levels throughout the test using non-invasive measurement tools.

“Usually a participant reaches exhaustion on this test in six to 12 minutes depending on their fitness level,” said Professor Phil Chilibeck, USask College of Kinesiology. Thankfully, no detrimental effects on exercise performance and blood and muscle oxygenation, due to wearing a cloth face mask was recorded during the study.

Read: New graphene-modified facemasks to offer more effective protection against coronavirus

Chilibeck recommends that people wear masks in a gym, ice rink or other recreational space even though exempt from doing so – this ensures a level of safety, especially in these areas where people may be breathing harder due to vigorous exercise.

“Respiratory droplets may be propelled further with heavy breathing during vigorous exercise and because of reports of COVID-19 clusters in crowded enclosed exercise facilities. If people wear face masks during indoor exercise, it might make the sessions safer and allow gyms to stay open during COVID,” said Chilibeck.

“It might also allow sports to continue, including hockey, where transmission of COVID-19 appears to be high.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seven million die every year due to poor air quality, with urban air pollution accounting for four million of these fatalities.As a result, consumers in countries such as India and China buy facemasks worth US$2 billion per annum – with double-digit sales growth every year.

Now New Zealand woolgrowers are poised to claim a significant chunk of this market with the introduction of a revolutionary air filter derived from a program supported by specially bred high-country sheep.

TexusFibre’s Helix Filters harness and enhance wool’s unique functionalities such as electrostatic performance and toxin removal. The ‘active’ wool fiber structure uses the fibers’ unique biological properties to keep the filters drier and performing at optimum levels for longer. In urban face masks, this means easier breathing with greater health protection.

Texus CEO Nick Davenport believes New Zealand is perfectly equipped to move wool up the value ladder with products that have a natural competitive advantage.

“We’ve created something unique – an end-to-end supply chain which starts by getting the supply genetics right and goes right through to the manufacture of a high-value, scientifically verified product here in New Zealand,” Nick said.

HBL has taken a stake in TexusFibre to build on the work developed over five years by Texus and its research partners who include Wool Industry Research Limited, AgResearch, AgMardt, Callaghan Innovation, NZTE and Nexus Foams Limited. Current investors include NZVIF, Global from Day One fund (GD1), Sparkbox Investments, Seraph VC and K1W1.

Wei Gao, the CEO of HBL, is excited about the potential of this new partnership.

“We are pleased to enter into this partnership with TexusFibre. We are focused on developing products that will utilize TexusFibre technologies and getting these products into the hands of consumers.”

TexusFibre Chairman, Dr. Andrew West said, “At the very heart of this is a New Zealand story, that of high-country sheep producing the world’s greatest natural fiber.

“Through this deal New Zealand wool is going to improve the health of millions of people across the planet. In so doing, TexusFibre and Healthy Breath want to recognize the commitment of New Zealand’s sheep farmers by paying them a premium for what is, in all reality, an absolutely premium product – wool.”