Similar in appearance to cotton masks, reusable nanofiber masks use nanofiber technology developed by the Hefei branch of the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

Nanofiber masks that can be reused for up to 20 days if not contaminated are expected to hit the market at the end of March, in an effort to address mask shortages due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

Similar in appearance to cotton masks, reusable nanofiber masks have a different filtration system, using nanofiber film developed by the Hefei branch of the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Nanomaterials used for the new masks can easily prevent droplets, bacteria and aerosol, as they are similar in size to the virus.

Ren Yiwei, head of the Hefei institute, said in an interview that the mask outperforms disposable medical masks and N95 masks, as it relies on physical prevention instead of electrostatic adsorption.

The mask can be worn continuously for 10 to 20 days without a reduction in effectiveness by immersing and washing in hot water or disinfecting with alcohol.

Masks in the current market can be reused for up to two days and will be less effective if exposed to water.

In addition, the nanofiber masks are softer and more breathable when worn.

Ren said the institute will cooperate with a mask manufacturer in Hefei to produce 100,000 masks every day and is planning to build a nanofiber production base in Hefei.

Ren Yiwei, head of the Hefei branch of the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces the nanofiber used in the reusable masks in an interview. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]