PROFESSORS RESEARCH FACE-MASK ALTERNATIVE
Christopher J. Woolverton, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology in the College of Public Health, and Richard E. Ferdig, Ph.D., the Summit Professor of Learning Technologies and Professor of Educational Technology, worked on research that tests the filtration efficiency of various types of personal protective equipment. Creative efforts were to to provide a “crisis” alternative mask that provides improved fit compared to a surgical mask. Dr. Ferdig and Dr. Woolverton adapted and evaluated the use of a medical-grade textile for mask development. Initially proposed by University of Florida researchers, the 2-ply spun-polypropylene sterilization wrap, Halyard H600 (Owens & Minor), was suggested to serve as a viable material for mask creation. They created 26 sewn masks that resembled typical surgical masks. The designs of textiles were tested for fit, comfort, and resistance to breathing. The H600 textile used as a surgical wrap is 2-ply. They started with this thickness and increased the thickness sequentially.
